What is clinching in Boxing (WBC)?

Verdict

Intentional clinching or holding is not permitted. When a clinch occurs, the referee shall order the contestants to break cleanly and step back before resuming boxing.

Why people argue about this

People often assume that a clinch in boxing is just about grabbing onto each other's clothing, which they see as part of normal play. But actually, the rule specifies that intentional holding or clinching for more than a brief moment to gain an advantage like controlling breathing space or limiting movement is prohibited, and any such hold must be broken cleanly by the referee upon order.

Send this to your friend — argument over.

Section 5: Rules of Play

Duration of Contests

Championship Bouts: All WBC championship bouts shall be scheduled for twelve (12) rounds of three (3) minutes each, with a one (1) minute rest period between rounds.
Non-Title Bouts: Non-title bouts may be scheduled for four (4), six (6), eight (8), or ten (10) rounds as determined by the promoter and approved by the local commission.

Knockdowns and Knockouts

A boxer shall be considered to be "down" when any part of their body, other than their feet, is on the canvas, or if they are hanging helplessly over the ropes as a result of a legal blow as ruled by the referee, who is the only person authorized to make this determination, or if they are still rising from the down position and not standing upright.

The mandatory eight (8) count rule shall be in effect in all WBC championship bouts. No standing eight (8) is permitted.
Three knockdowns in any one round do not automatically terminate the bout. If in the referee's judgment the knockdowns have been indecisive and clearly with no injurious effect upon the boxer, the contest may be continued with good sense and judgment, and the boxer's welfare always paramount.
When the contestant is knocked down, the referee shall audibly announce the count as they motion with their right arm downward indicating the end of each second of the count. If the contestant taking the count is still down when the referee calls the count of ten (10), the referee shall wave both arms indicating that the contestant has been knocked out.
When a contestant has been knocked down, the referee shall order the opponent to the farthest neutral corner of the ring and pick up the count from the timekeeper or the official counting for knockdowns.
Should the opponent fail to stay in the corner as directed by the referee, the referee shall stop the count at the point it was interrupted.
A contestant who has been knocked out of the ring (body off the apron) as a result of a legal blow may not be helped back in by their corner people. The referee shall allow the contestant twenty (20) seconds to re-enter the ring and stand.
A contestant may not be saved by the bell in any round. If a contestant is down and the round has terminated, the referee shall continue the count until the contestant rises or is counted out.

Legal Blows

All punches must be delivered with the padded knuckle part of the glove. Legal target areas include:

The front and sides of the head above the eyebrows.
The front and sides of the torso above the belt line.

Clinching

Intentional clinching or holding is not permitted. When a clinch occurs, the referee shall order the contestants to break cleanly and step back before resuming boxing. Repeated or excessive clinching may result in point deductions at the referee's discretion.

Saved by the Bell

A contestant may not be saved by the bell in any round. If a contestant is down when the bell rings to end the round, the referee shall continue the count. If the contestant fails to rise before the count of ten (10), they shall be declared the loser by knockout in the round just concluded.

Section 5: Rules of Play

Duration of Contests

Championship Bouts: All WBC championship bouts shall be scheduled for twelve (12) rounds of three (3) minutes each, with a one (1) minute rest period between rounds.

Non-Title Bouts: Non-title bouts may be scheduled for four (4), six (6), eight (8), or ten (10) rounds as determined by the promoter and approved by the local commission.

Knockdowns and Knockouts

The mandatory eight (8) count rule shall be in effect in all WBC championship bouts. No standing eight (8) is permitted.

Three knockdowns in any one round do not automatically terminate the bout. If in the referee's judgment the knockdowns have been indecisive and clearly with no injurious effect upon the boxer, the contest may be continued with good sense and judgment, and the boxer's welfare always paramount.

When the contestant is knocked down, the referee shall audibly announce the count as they motion with their right arm downward indicating the end of each second of the count. If the contestant taking the count is still down when the referee calls the count of ten (10), the referee shall wave both arms indicating that the contestant has been knocked out.

When a contestant has been knocked down, the referee shall order the opponent to the farthest neutral corner of the ring and pick up the count from the timekeeper or the official counting for knockdowns.

Should the opponent fail to stay in the corner as directed by the referee, the referee shall stop the count at the point it was interrupted.

A contestant who has been knocked out of the ring (body off the apron) as a result of a legal blow may not be helped back in by their corner people. The referee shall allow the contestant twenty (20) seconds to re-enter the ring and stand.

A contestant may not be saved by the bell in any round. If a contestant is down and the round has terminated, the referee shall continue the count until the contestant rises or is counted out.

Legal Blows

All punches must be delivered with the padded knuckle part of the glove. Legal target areas include:

The front and sides of the head above the eyebrows.

The front and sides of the torso above the belt line.

Clinching

Saved by the Bell

Clinching