If clinching was more harshly punished, how does HW history change?

Thanks Vic, and I'm glad this place has avatars now!

 

Too late to change the conventions of boxing now...it would be like reinventing the wheel to take away or even to "crack down" on clinching...it's a survival mechanism in the sport as integral as the jab (as used in defense, aka the "**** off" jab), footwork and other aspects of ring generalship, that are either abused or used ingeniously. Without that safety valve that clinching supplies, boxing would be down to a "rock 'em sock 'em" state of primitive entertainment.

 

Clinching is holding, is wrestling, is hugging. It is against the rules.

Referees are too lazy to crack down on it.

 

Nonsense.
Blocking, parrying, slipping, ducking, moving etc. are all LEGITIMATE defensive techniques of the art of boxing.
Clinching shouldn't be necessary for boxers who develop and attempt to master such skills.