Can something be done about clinching?

That´s why the ref should make the rules known before the fight starts. Make it clear that holding and clinching is now allowed. Then enforce the rule from the opening bell. If a fighter doesn´t listen, give a stern warning. Still doesn´t listen? Obvious point deduction.

 

It would be fine if the clinch would break naturally or turn into an inside fight, but clearly buying time and shortening the rounds is its intent in our era.

 

My feelings on clinching are this:

Inside fighting is good. If your head is buried in the guys chest, but you are punching, it's fine.
If you get hurt, then clinch to survive. Fine, but the ref should break it up. Warn if it's excessive.
If you come to clinch offensively as part of your strategy, like Klitschko or Ruiz...you get warned, you get points deducted, then you get disqualified.

 

Dipping is legal as long as you don`t dip below your opponents waist, Floyd dipped constantly like that v Canelo.

 

It is so, maybe I wasn't clear enough: he was dipping and going into clinch himself.

 

No, AJ was clinging for dear life. He got Jemaine in loads of collar ties and head locks.

 

So did Ali, that's why I never liked him as a boxer. I did as a man though

 

Agree, clinching is a pile of ****. Refs need to enforce the rules and dock points earlier. If fighters can get away with it they will abuse the system however.

 

Clinching needs to be enforced consistently, no matter who's ref. Currently it's not and I don't think some refs know the difference between incidental and intentional clinching. But boxing is too much of a mess to get everyone on the same page. It would be better for boxing as a product if they limited clinching, cut out the "jab and grab" gaming of the system. Crap, I'm not expressing myself very well on this matter.

 

Its a part of boxing but when its excessive it needs to be addressed by the ref, and if need be dock some points. What AJ and Franklin were doing over the weekend was excessive and they should have been warned and docked at least a point or two, but the ref blew it.