Would Boxing be better if Holding was much more penalized?

[Robbie Barrett]

We see referees warning the wrong fighter all the time for holding. I don't think penalising the wrong guy more would make boxing better.

[Boxing_1013]

All right, I have to say that this idea of clinching in trouble being allowed is ******. I could be hurt and go for a low blow to stop the action because I'm hurt. That doesn't make it right. A foul is still a foul. Period.

We just have refs who don't enforce the rules which is why we have the **** we have continue.

I'm not really saying it should be allowed...as much as saying it has never really bothered me when a guy does it...it is 'cheating' in a way, but much less so than going low or throwing an illegal punch...you're just literally trying to hold on for dear life.

Penalizing it is fine...I think the holding after getting hurt only happens like once or twice a fight on average anyway...the bigger problem is those who clinch as a strategy...just needs to be done the same way across the board...all fighters treated the same in all situations.

[Pantera_]

Itd be better if the refs actually did something about it.

[Robbie Barrett]

It depends on the situation. If you are hurt and holding, you're trying to survive. If you're not hurt and holding the other fighter from throwing punches cause that other fighter was able to cut the ring off and get in range to launch an attack, it should be warned once or twice then points deducted there after.

That would be opinion though and some fighters show they're hurt more than other. If you're going to punish fighters for it there should be no exceptions.

[Fists_of_Fury]

I would be ok with this only if they made leading with the head illegal and an automatic point with the 2nd occurrence an automatic disqualification. Also putting your head on your opponent an automatic disqualification. Then holding could be penalized and make sense. These trash brawlers leading with their head and putting their head on your chest is a big reason why boxers hold besides when put on ***** street.

[Boxing_1013]

This.

I’ll use Wlad vs. Povetkin as an example. Povetkin would move in, get close and extend one or both arms under Wlad’s armpits. Which means he has to literally hold his hands above his head to avoid a clinch or he keeps them there and guess what, there’s a clinch.

That’s 100 percent on Povetkin yet the uninitiated wanted to blame Wlad.

And the sport would be better if guys used the free hand to punch. And kept their elbows and hands in tight inside — then the only way to clinch is to literally hug and it’s obvious who is doing the fouling. Most often both are at some degree of fault ... and sometimes guys are grateful to clinch (see Tyson vs. Bonecrusher, where Iron Mike seems quite comfy wading in, throwing two punches and then falling into a rest hold where both are safe.

Also, are we happy with a guy getting knocked down five times in a six-round fight winning because of taking away 2-3 points per round for minor clinching?

Great examples man! And great post as well.

I do feel most refs used to allow guys to fight out of the clinch more often than they do now...I like some good inside fighting and I kind of miss refs allowing guys to fight out of the clinch more often...as you alluded to though, needs to be reffed fairly too...I've seen some guys clearly hold in there and then throw with their free hand and I don't care much for that.

Fight that came to mind for me was Ward-Kov 1...where afterwards, I was on here, and depending on which side you were listening to...they said the other guy was the one holding/clinching lol.

Great insights!

[saintpat]

Great examples man! And great post as well.

I do feel most refs used to allow guys to fight out of the clinch more often than they do now...I like some good inside fighting and I kind of miss refs allowing guys to fight out of the clinch more often...as you alluded to though, needs to be reffed fairly too...I've seen some guys clearly hold in there and then throw with their free hand and I don't care much for that.

Fight that came to mind for me was Ward-Kov 1...where afterwards, I was on here, and depending on which side you were listening to...they said the other guy was the one holding/clinching lol.

Great insights!

And I believe the rules bar ‘excessive holding.’ So taking points on the second clinch in a 12-round fight is over-officious. It’s not what I want.

If a guy has his trunks high and the opponent hits him twice on the belt line on the hip/torso area, the ref doesn’t come in and take a point and threaten to DQ him.

Let them fight. I don’t tune in or buy a ticket to watch a referee.

[ippo]

There needs to be a consistent view on holding and how its used and penalized.Over use of this tactic needs to be penalized. Wlad's style should be penalized also in some of mayweather's fight he held way too much.

[pacphobia]

I don't wanna see a gayish act like this again

[Boxing_1013]

And I believe the rules bar ‘excessive holding.’ So taking points on the second clinch in a 12-round fight is over-officious. It’s not what I want.

If a guy has his trunks high and the opponent hits him twice on the belt line on the hip/torso area, the ref doesn’t come in and take a point and threaten to DQ him.

Let them fight. I don’t tune in or buy a ticket to watch a referee.

I'm not sure of the exact phrasing on holding, tried to look it up but couldn't immediately find it...but I like your interpretations there and the analogy on the low-blows, in any event...common sense, well said.