Should Refs Just Say Punch and Get Out Instead of Separating Fighters?

[_Rexy_]

Sometimes you can't punch out of it. If there's a free arm, I'd expect them to punch out. If it's a full on grapple/hang on for dear life I'd break it up.

[EDDIE SPERM]

I don't see many referees do this anymore. I think they need to get back to this. We need officiating in the ring obviously but over-officiating really can ruin a fight. I'd prefer it if they just said, "Punch and get out." It would make for better fights and we would have more inside fighting which the sport badly needs in my opinion. Thoughts?

They should gtfo & let boxers fight! It would help boxing skyrocket!

[SplitSecond]

Just be more strict with holding and take points quicker. Too many times a ref lets a clinchfest occur and a point maybe gets taken by rd 11 or 12. It’s a joke but we all know the game is rigged.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

Just be more strict with holding and take points quicker. Too many times a ref lets a clinchfest occur and a point maybe gets taken by rd 11 or 12. It’s a joke but we all know the game is rigged.

Yeah, very few points ever get taken. Definitely not enough to deter holding at all.

[MulaKO]

I used enjoy when the ref would pull the fighters arm out from his opponent
At the same time letting them fight out of the clinch
Honestly the only way to stop this clinching bullchit is for the ref to take away a point after warning that fighter
Today the refs jump in the minute the guys got his head on his opponents chest or shoulder
It’s sad because some of the best boxing comes from that inside fighting
Refs aren’t ****** , but obviously something is going down
The inside game of boxing is deliberately disappearing cause of the refs
It’s a big loss to the sport and to the entertainment it brings

[Tony Trick-Pony]

I used enjoy when the ref would pull the fighters arm out from his opponent
At the same time letting them fight out of the clinch
Honestly the only way to stop this clinching bullchit is for the ref to take away a point after warning that fighter
Today the refs jump in the minute the guys got his head on his opponents chest or shoulder
It’s sad because some of the best boxing comes from that inside fighting
Refs aren’t ****** , but obviously something is going down
The inside game of boxing is deliberately disappearing cause of the refs
It’s a big loss to the sport and to the entertainment it brings

It is a huge loss. I really miss seeing good inside fights. I think they're way more entertaining. Maybe some day things will change...

[Blond Beast]

Sometimes you can't punch out of it. If there's a free arm, I'd expect them to punch out. If it's a full on grapple/hang on for dear life I'd break it up.

Exactly. Every fight is different. The goal for the ref is to keep the action going as best as possible. Sometimes it’s just one fighter that wants to clinch. The other fighter can’t punch to get out if his opponent just wants to wrap him up. It could take forever to break free and thats what the opponent wants. Sometimes both fighters are willing just to tangle up and left to their own devices they might just stay that way. A ref has to try and set a precedent with his commands. If one fighter keeps promoting the grapple without punches then the ref should pick the option that suits the other guy best. The ref should try and steer the fight in a way which promotes the most actual fighting. Grappling is part of it. Takes time to separate them. But a ref who is on it in a way that promotes more actual fighting is doing right by us fans. Follow the refs instructions. Take a point if u have to.

[MulaKO]

It is a huge loss. I really miss seeing good inside fights. I think they're way more entertaining. Maybe some day things will change...

It’s an essential part of the sport

[BoloShot]

if the two fighters are not completely tangled up, or one guy is getting pushed down then ideally yes the ref should call for them to punch out.

refs are human tho, and therefore not perfectly consistent. I'll never forget kenny B's performance in the maidana floyd fight, seperating the two before they even touched each other lol.

That was simply a result of corruption rather than ineptitude.

[BoloShot]

Well if no one is tied up pushed down then the fight should go ahead of course. Can't allow for holding or dirty tactics on the inside like headbutts or elbows though. Then fighters should absolutely be separated by the ref.