What...truly differs between a dirty and a rough fighter?

Mike Tyson was dirty …Evander Holyfield was rough

 

Wilfredo Gomez was dirty …Timothy Bradley was rough

 

Often times Ownership, Referees and predetermined outcomes...

a lot of Dirty Fighters are dirty on the 'inside'...

 

Andrew Golota was dirty at times, Matt Skelton used a lot of roughhouse tactics.

 

Emile Griffith was a rough physical fighter….i don’t think I ever saw him foul anyone

 

Holyfield was dirty also. Especially after he bulked up . ( Steroids?)
He used his head like a battering ram.
And wasn't usually warned or penalized for it. Though it was plainly evident from outside of the ring.
That means he was aware where the ref was, and knew when to use the tactic.
That in itself shows intent.
Another example of a rough and dirty fighter who was a master of knowing when to use a fouling tactic was the great Eusebio Pedroza.

 

Umm - Gene Fullmer was rough and Sandy Saddler was dirty? Though some might call Fullmer dirty, I think all of them are debatable depending on the person lol.

 

The eye of the beholder determines this really.

Tyson fans cheer him punching Razor Ruddocks balls, biting EH ear or trying to break Frans Botha’s arms because he was rough and ruthless.

Mike Tyson fans also ***** and moan because Holyfield head butted Mike a couple of times because he was a dirty fighter.

 

well, let's see what the man himself says... it is also a little insight to the literal corruption & inequality of Boxing, a Very Dirty Affair!!!

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There is that saying that the difference between insanity and genius is measured only by success. Perhaps that's how You measure the difference between being rough and dirty, also.
If You know how to cheat and get away with it - You're rough. If You cheat in too blatant of a manner and pay for it, You're dirty.

 

A dirty fighter is someone who intentionally bend the rules by use of headbutting, low blows, rabbit punches, hitting on the break, elbows, etc. A rough house fighter is someone that makes the opponents uncomfortable usually by smothering, grappling, wrestling on the inside but without the use of any dirty tactics as mentioned.

 

I think when someone relies on fouling to win a fight or they start doing it right at the onset of a fight that they are dirty.