I mean dq on the spot. One single clinch and you're disqualified on the spot. How would that change the sport? Would Mike Tyson be unbeatable. Would Wlad still be champ? Would John Ruiz's mother give birth to him ? (what would be the point)
Strange thread. It's really impossible to say. Clinching is a legitimate ring action --- removing it is akin to removing something like punches above or below the chest. You'd have to completely re-arrange a fighters' work-out schedule. It would be interesting to see what manner of tactics would emerge to combat being hurt in the ring if a fighter could not hold to clear his head.
Imagine how different fights would turn out. Say Mosley might have ko'ed Floyd if he couldn't clinch in the second round. Would Holyfield still beat Tyson??
Mosley might have KO'd Mayweather in that second round if you suddenly declared clinching illegal at the time, but if it were an established law, fighters would find other ways to clear their heads, & Mayweather, a clever fighter, would be at the forefront of that. Holyfield, too, was a resourceful fighter.
If it were an established law how else could you clear your head? Run? Nothing else comes to my mind.
Fighters & their trainers would figure something out. Clearing your head & buying time are essential facets of the sport, & it would be addressed accordingly.
Frank Bruno tried his best 'Quiet Man' impression in his rematch with Tyson...fortunately Mills Lane wasn't really having any of it. It would be an interesting exercise to imagine how things might've been different had Lane gotten the assignment in the first fight instead of the second one.
I think you'd probably see some fighters fouling more in other ways...low blows, rabbit punches, whatever...desperation will do that. And if they can't hold onto their opponent, they'll try holding onto the top rope. Of course, not all fighters would take that route. There are some that would try to swing their way out of trouble.
Another bitter tyson believer. Rory holloway couldve reffed that bout and the result wouldn't have changed.
Excessive clinching really seems to be one of the banes of modern boxing. In large part because amateurs aren't taught to in-fight anymore, so hardly anybody knows what the fuck to do in there. I think 3 initiated clinches in a round should be a point off. If I was boxing king for one day that and bodyfat testing with purse stipulations for heavyweights would be the first two rules I implemented.
Funnily enough, Mike Tyson would have lost to Peter McNeeley under this rule, since he initiated the only clinch of that fight
I think along the bodyfat rule there should also be a rule for ugly fighters being banned from boxing. A panel of five experts should look beforehand whether or not a fighter is physically attractive enough (considering his fat % and other looks) and revoke their licenses if they don't fit the standard
Surely, the reverse would make more sense, in our fair sport? Your rule bans Israel Vazquez, & deprives us of his sensational clashes with Rafael Marquez. Ever get a good, close-up look at Sam Langford? That's one of the top-ten all-time fighters, pound-for-pound, disqualified from competing. It's the pretty boys, for the most part, who would be better off being out-lawed. What would you do with good-looking fellows who become ugly with every fight, though? Someone like Miguel Cotto. I mean, he enters the ring looking like 80's sex symbol Billy Zane, but exits it as a Freddie Kruger dopple-ganger. Where do they stand?
It doesn't matter how good a fighter supposedly is, if nobody wants to see their ugly features, it should be the end for them. Entertainment business is about following and supporting your favorite but nobody wants to live through an ugly person. The good-looking guys should have people in their corners to take care of their good looks, use make-ups and other stuff to keep the fighter good looking and if they can't, the ref could ask from a beauty expert (sitting next to the doctor) for advice and rule a TKO against the guy turned ugly. Also, they shouldn't be let back into the ring without visiting a surgeon
It's only strange to you cuz you're used to clinching being part of the game. I personally hate clinching and I think some fighters use it excessively to compensate for a weak chin (ex Akinwande, Wlad) or lack of in fighting skills (ex Ali,Wlad) or strategically such as Holyfield. Clinching is not boxing. Clinching is used to compensate for a missing piece of complete fighter's puzzle.
Good one !!can't belive I missed that! But taking a knee gives you roughly 10 seconds to recuperate. Some boxers clinch for minutes after getting hurt! Or you could also you Andrew Galata strategy and foul someone intentionally to get time to recuperate!
You're one of those 'better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt' kinda guys, aren't you? Too late, but I agree with the notion that the less said by you, the better.