Often criticized for its perceived brutality, boxing actually has numerous rules to protect fighters and ensure a fair, competitive match. Some rules, such as the prohibition against head-butting, low blows and hits to the back of the head, prevent potentially serious injuries. Other rules, such as regulations against spitting out the mouthpiece, ensure fights move forward at an acceptable pace without any unwanted delays. Regulations against holding fall into both categories, protecting fighters and preserving action.
Description
Despite their padded, fingerless gloves, boxers can indeed hold an opponent. Most often, this holding involves one fighter deliberately wrapping his arms around his opponent in a forced hug. On occasion, an especially crafty fighter will use his arm to capture and pin the arm of an opponent during a clench, creating an opening for a quick shot to the jaw.
Function
A boxer typically holds because he's either hurt or tired. Fatigued fighters will hold opponents in a desperate attempt to smother punches and buy time until they recover their senses or regain spent legs. Of course, certain fighters also hold in an effort to gain a competitive advantage, usually drawing the referee's ire.
Considerations
Not all forms of holding are illegal. Due to the nature of the sport, boxers often get entangled or end up holding each other after an exchange of punches. Such incidental holds aren't illegal. The referee will simply step between the two fighters and separate them before restarting the action. Holding only becomes illegal when a fighter holds intentionally to gain an undeserved advantage or when he refuses to break on the referee's command.
Punishment
If the referee deems a fighter is intentionally holding an opponent to slow a fight or to gain some form of illegal advantage, he will issue the boxer a stern warning. If the boxer continues to hold, the referee will stop the fight and instruct all three judges to deduct 1 point from the boxer's score. The referee will continue to deduct 1 point for each subsequent holding foul. In rare circumstances, excessive holding can result in disqualification.
Warning
Holding and hitting an opponent's head can be particularly dangerous. This foul typically occurs when one fighter cups his glove behind his opponent's neck or head to pull him down into an uppercut. Without anywhere to go, the held boxer's head must absorb the full force of the punch, creating the potential for injury. Depending on the seriousness of the foul, holding and hitting can result in a warning, a point deduction or even forfeiture.
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