Wlad obviously comes to mind immediately. Ali also used clinching to nullify shorter fighters. Holyfield in the Tyson fights used clinching very effectively. These tactics can be the difference between winning and losing sometimes. Any thoughts on this?
Watch again. Ali didn't just hold, he pulled the guy with his left hand by the back of the neck, and using his right shoved the guy just enough to keep them off balance so they couldn't punch on the inside with any power. It was far more subtle than those other mugs mentioned who just cling on like limpets.
Henry Akinwande the only guy I ever saw who was actually thrown out for clinching. It did appear he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown to be fair. Wlad Klit, against Povetkin should have joined Akinwande in the DQ hall of shame, and would have done if the referee had enforced the rules properly.