Holding and Clinching - Allowed, Not Allowed, In Between?

[Snoop Frog]

Is holding and/or clinching technically allowed in boxing? If boxing is supposed to follow both the Marquess of Queensberry Rules and the modernized rules per the Association of Boxing Commissions, the Queensberry Rules state that hugging is not allowed and the ABC rules state that holding is not allowed.

Of course, we've all seen holding/clinching/hugging used in fights, sometimes very effectively to stifle an opponent. One case where it was used to great effect is Mosley vs. Margarito. I loved that Mosley punished Margarito after the plaster incident, but the fight has an asterisk on it given how much Mosley tied up Margarito.

It seems to vary per ref how much it's allowed.

[jas]

should be allowed when a fighter is hurt or tired at the tail end of a fight

[uppercut510]

every gym ive been to taught clinching in particular situations

[Madison Boxing]

only when youve been badly hurt/wobbled. it was never intended to be something that is a routine part of a fight. this is boxing not wrestling.

[Kuyukut]

wait a minute here, i thought clinching and holding are part of being a slick fighter!

[Eff Pandas]

Yea its the most often committed, least called foul in boxing.

Acts constituting fouls in boxing. (NRS 467.030)  The following acts constitute fouls in boxing:
Holding an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other.
Holding or deliberately maintaining a clinch.

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-467.html

Its f#cking ******ed. I wish boxing took a more aggressive stance on holding as I believe it hurts the flow of the fight & also impairs ones ability to score a KO, which is exactly what most fans wanna see, which ultimately hurts the bottom line of the sport. No holding at all & points taken more often for it = boxing is a better more fun sport.

[HandsofIron]

Clinching is allowed. It's the excessive holding/hugging that kills and ruins the momentum of the fights.

[juggernaut666]

There were way more holding back in the old days PPL just dont want to hear it bc guys like Johnson and Ali are great and used excessive LEGAL clinchin (not holding behind the head ) but fighters who use it today are lazy and cant fight?

Clinchin is a part of boxing its a skill in itself , excessive clinchin to just avoid damage or fighting for 12 rnds is not ......

[HandsofIron]

Yea its the most often committed, least called foul in boxing.

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-467.html

Its f#cking ******ed. I wish boxing took a more aggressive stance on holding as I believe it hurts the flow of the fight & also impairs ones ability to score a KO, which is exactly what most fans wanna see, which ultimately hurts the bottom line of the sport. No holding at all & points taken more often for it = boxing is a better more fun sport.

Exactly man, you nailed it, great point.

[Eff Pandas]

Clinching is allowed. It's the excessive holding/hugging that kills and ruins the momentum of the fights.

Whats the difference between clinching & holding in boxing anyway? I've never been super clear on that.

To me the rules says any deliberate clinching or holding is a foul doe so that says to me most of the bs we see is a foul when guys are separated. I suppose the real problem is who do you take points from when so much of the holding/clinching is "consensual".