Why don't boxers get penalized for hugging?

What you're probably talking about is called "clinching". This is where a boxer attempts to trap his opponent's arm with his own so that his opponent can't throw any punches with it. read more

They might not get penalized for it often enough, but it is illegal and does get penalized. You’ll see a point deduction for it maybe once out of every 10 or 20 fights. Once in a great while, a fighter will even be DQ’d for it. read more

Boxers usually clinch their opponents when they become extremely tired. The boxers aren't actually hugging. They're"clinching". As they have nothing else to hold on so they 'Clinch'. read more

But this is what boxing has become, I’m sad to say. There was a time when fighters would get points for being aggressive and engaging the other fighter. There was also a time when fighters would get penalized for hugging and holding, and avoiding the opponent altogether. read more

Boxers often use this maneuver when they believe their opponent has the advantage at shorter ranges. The boxer can"tie up" his opponent's arms and then wait for the referee to break the two fighters up, at which point both men must take a step back before the fight continues. Clinching isn't technically legal in boxing. read more

As already explained, clinching aka"hugging in boxing" is a move performmed by a boxer to do any of the following: 1. Take a breather, or rest after moving and attacking so much inside the ring 2. Prevent the opponent from attacking, since a boxer cannot execute his punch combinations when his opponent is grabbing onto him. 3. read more