All Time Greats on Clinching - Who are they?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by asero, May 18, 2020.


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  1. asero

    asero Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    We have seen the list of p4p greatest boxers, hardest punchers, greatest chin, tremendous defensive style, amazing footwork, speed. Even toughness, stamina and recovery had been discussed. But one underrated boxing skill is Clinching. It takes a lot of aggressive and sometime graceful hugging perfect this craft. Holding is just as important as hugging. These boxers spent countless hours in the gym trying to press their body against their sparring partners. Clinching is an art of defense but can also use as a springboard to launch their punching combinations. Clinching also drains your opponents and is equivalent to drafting in bike and running races.

    Based on the limited knowledge i know, we have Floyd, Lennox Lewis, Klitschkos
    Probably the greatest of them all is John Ruiz.
    Underrated are perhaps Ali and Andre Ward
    Among the trailblazers, we have Tunney and Jack Johnson
     
    asero, May 18, 2020
    asero, May 18, 2020
    #1
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  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    You just listed all the ones I would have named lol. So who’s left ? Everett Bigfoot Martin maybe ?
     
    mr. magoo, May 18, 2020
    mr. magoo, May 18, 2020
    #2
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  3. Flash24

    Flash24 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    As Mr. Magoo noted you basically listed the group that I 1st thought of...... But Esubio Pederoza could hold AND hit with with the best of them....... And the referees never seemed to catch him doing it. Pedroza could hold and mug his opponents at the same time lol. Also believe or Not Duran.
     
    Flash24, May 18, 2020
    Flash24, May 18, 2020
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  4. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    ATG at this Sammy " The Clutch " Angott.
     
    Mike Cannon, May 18, 2020
    Mike Cannon, May 18, 2020
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  5. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

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    All of Jack Johnson's fights were clutch fests, but that was in a different age.
     
    FrankinDallas, May 18, 2020
    FrankinDallas, May 18, 2020
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  6. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not the best at it, but an example of someone who learned how to do it is Thomas Hearns.

    We didn’t have the experience or wisdom to do it in the first SRL fight and it cost him. Watch later in his career and you see he learned that lesson (the hard way).
     
    Saintpat, May 18, 2020
    Saintpat, May 18, 2020
    #6
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Hector Camacho made it work for him.
     
    Fergy, May 18, 2020
    Fergy, May 18, 2020
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  8. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Jack Johnson and it's not close (at least at HW).
     
    70sFan865, May 19, 2020
    70sFan865, May 19, 2020
    #8
  9. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali. He even tied up Foreman and nobody thought that was going to happen.
     
    zadfrak, May 19, 2020
    zadfrak, May 19, 2020
    #9
  10. Momus

    Momus Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Clinch work used to be more prevalent in boxing in the early 20th century, and the ability to control and position the opponent up close was a core skill. As noted above, Johnson was one of the obvious standouts at this; immensely strong and able to neutralise fighters up close, and when he wanted to was able to create space to rip in uppercuts.

    In modern times, Ward stands out for me. There have been few better at "smothering" opponents, particularly those like Froch and Kessler who needed room to do their best work. He benefited from benign refs at times, but even if he was a dirty fighter there is a certain skill involved with being an effective dirty fighter.
     
    Momus, May 19, 2020
    Momus, May 19, 2020
    #10
  11. GOAT Primo Carnera

    GOAT Primo Carnera Member of the PC Fan Club Full Member

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    @dinovelvet Is there any undisputed clinching world champion out there other than big W?
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020
    GOAT Primo Carnera, May 19, 2020
    GOAT Primo Carnera, May 19, 2020
    #11
  12. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    Jack Dempsey worked very well in a clinch. The film of the Sharkey fight is a master class of working within a clinch.

    Bernard Hopkins was a modern equivalent.
     
    choklab, May 19, 2020
    choklab, May 19, 2020
    #12
  13. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Excellent mentions.
     
    JohnThomas1, May 19, 2020
    JohnThomas1, May 19, 2020
    #13
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  14. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    After going 12 rounds hugging Mike Tyson they referred to Bonecrusher Smith as 'Boneclutcher'
     
    scartissue, May 19, 2020
    scartissue, May 19, 2020
    #14
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  15. dinovelvet

    dinovelvet Antifanboi Full Member

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    dinovelvet, May 19, 2020
    dinovelvet, May 19, 2020
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