''I Will Broke His Hands..arms..if he dares something dirty..'' - Kovalev

[Redd Foxx]

Source: http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Rules_of_Boxing and it also appears in the alphabet organizations boxing rules.

But somehow we gotta accept holding as a valid tactic? until when?

Are you talking about Ward or Kovalev? Ward fights in the clinch, he rarely just holds. His clinch is nothing like Wlad or Hopkins where they hit and then hold on until the ref comes. Ward fights body to body.

If you're talking about what I said about Kovalev, one of these first things you learn in boxing is that, if you're too close to fight, or your opponent grabs you, you clinch in a certain way so that you can prevent him hitting you until the ref safely splits you up. This prevents headbutts and damage. It's accepted because the alternative (pushing) is illegal. I prefer he avoid it but I'd have to respect him if he chose to do that. Better than that choke hold he does.

[LoadedWraps]

Are you talking about Ward or Kovalev? Ward fights in the clinch, he rarely just holds. His clinch is nothing like Wlad or Hopkins where they hit and then hold on until the ref comes. Ward fights body to body.

If you're talking about what I said about Kovalev, one of these first things you learn in boxing is that, if you're too close to fight, or your opponent grabs you, you clinch in a certain way so that you can prevent him hitting you until the ref safely splits you up. This prevents headbutts and damage. It's accepted because the alternative (pushing) is illegal. I prefer he avoid it but I'd have to respect him if he chose to do that. Better than that choke hold he does.

You can get away with pushing if you are slick though. I do it all the time - roll into a guy with my shoulder using my body to push him back off of me an inch so I can let my hands go then lean into him again to smother his counter.

I am firmly against clinching as a fighter. I've never once done it and am not sure I ever will. Yes, they teach it, but as I've gone into detail before, it always makes more sense to work on the inside (you have no inside game? DEVELOP ONE) or use my feet to get out of their and relocate.

[Redd Foxx]

You can get away with pushing if you are slick though. I do it all the time - roll into a guy with my shoulder using my body to push him back off of me an inch so I can let my hands go then lean into him again to smother his counter.

I am firmly against clinching as a fighter. I've never once done it and am not sure I ever will. Yes, they teach it, but as I've gone into detail before, it always makes more sense to work on the inside (you have no inside game? DEVELOP ONE) or use my feet to get out of their and relocate.

On a personal level, I agree to an extent. I was taught how to, but instructed not to. My coach preferred me to physically push with the whole body (never extending the arms because it leaves you open) and then turning out to make space.
I am long limbed and like to do something I've also seen Robert Easter jr do, and strike at close range. He's proof that even someone with the stereotypical "boxer" structure can work inside.

[The Hammer]

Ward opponents say he's stronger than they anticipated

Ward works with Victor Conte, he knows how to avoid being caught using strength-enhancing steroids.

[SN!PER]

That would be cool if a boxer actually could punch hard enough to break his opponent's arms as they were blocking.

[LoadedWraps]

On a personal level, I agree to an extent. I was taught how to, but instructed not to. My coach preferred me to physically push with the whole body (never extending the arms because it leaves you open) and then turning out to make space.
I am long limbed and like to do something I've also seen Robert Easter jr do, and strike at close range. He's proof that even someone with the stereotypical "boxer" structure can work inside.

Good post. Yea I agree man, same here. I was taught to initially as well and all boxers are best developed learning the fundamentals soundly all around but like you, was taught to use my body to push and pivot or move and work.

[-Kev-]

Ward works with Victor Conte, he knows how to avoid being caught using strength-enhancing steroids.

Freedom, you're setting up too many excuses for Sunday, November 20th. Not that Andre Ward will care about what you say, but you're a good poster, and I hope your behavior on Sunday reflects the quality poster you are. You have your bias towards certain fighters, but that doesn't mean you're a bad poster, you argue for your side quite effectively. On Sunday night if Ward is announced the winner, give props where props is due. Kovalev is a beast and I know that, if he wins I would not be surprised. No excuses should be said for neither of these prime, undefeated, top 3 P4P elite fighters

[The Hammer]

Freedom, you're setting up too many excuses for Sunday, November 20th. Not that Andre Ward will care about what you say, but you're a good poster, and I hope your behavior on Sunday reflects the quality poster you are. You have your bias towards certain fighters, but that doesn't mean you're a bad poster, you argue for your side quite effectively. On Sunday night if Ward is announced the winner, give props where props is due. Kovalev is a beast and I know that, if he wins I would not be surprised. No excuses should be said for neither of these prime, undefeated, top 3 P4P elite fighters

Let Ward fight FAIRLY for once.

No head butts, arm-clamping, etc.

Then he'll deserve credit.

By the way, Ward blocked me on twitter.

[mlac]

Freedom, you're setting up too many excuses for Sunday, November 20th. Not that Andre Ward will care about what you say, but you're a good poster, and I hope your behavior on Sunday reflects the quality poster you are. You have your bias towards certain fighters, but that doesn't mean you're a bad poster, you argue for your side quite effectively. On Sunday night if Ward is announced the winner, give props where props is due. Kovalev is a beast and I know that, if he wins I would not be surprised. No excuses should be said for neither of these prime, undefeated, top 3 P4P elite fighters

whether you think it's 'exuses doe' or whatever. That is a valid point is it not? Whoever works with a known drug cheat who has boasted on record about bypassing drug authorities set's off red flags does it not?

[LoadedWraps]

That would be cool if a boxer actually could punch hard enough to break his opponent's arms as they were blocking.

It's not that far from reality, when I used to go to my gym regularly there was this golden gloves champ who was a HW and I used to spar him when no one was around at my weight of 147-160 and it would suuuuuuuck, not only was he better than me more or less across the board but he was heavier than me by a lot and heavy handed, he would have my forearms, biceps, and shoulders legitamately bruised up and sore by 3 rounds. It would get to the point where I don't want to block anymore because it hurts me more than taking flush shots to the body would and I enter full survival mode shooting jabs while moving to keep him away and taking Malik Scott-esque leaps back when I sense a combination coming. It was painful no exaggeration and if you told me I broke something in my forearms one of those days I wouldn't doubt it for a second.