by David P. Greisman

For years, Wladimir Klitschko’s detractors have said that he gets away with too much grabbing, holding, and leaning down on his opponents, a tactic that not only wears down his foes but also helps protect Klitschko in close.

Klitschko isn’t often penalized for this, but on Saturday night against Bryant Jennings, referee Michael Griffin took a point from Klitschko in the 10th round.

Klitschko and trainer Johnathan Banks didn’t agree with the call, feeling that the holding was due to the size difference and the way Jennings was fighting. Nevertheless, it didn’t seem to bother Klitschko much, if at all, particularly given that he won a decision over Jennings.

“I’m not going to complain. Whatever the referee decided to do, that’s his call,” Klitschko said at the post-fight press conference. I believe when you have size difference, as Jennings and myself, I’ve seen that in the [Michael] Perez fight. When Jennings was fighting Perez, he was actually taller than P but he was getting under Perez for some reason. It’s something that with size difference can happen.”

Banks said Jennings was essentially diving in underneath Klitschko when he was moving forward with punches.

“If he’s diving under him, you really going to charge the tall man for holding?” Banks said afterward. “I’m not holding nothing that’s not dove under me. It’s like if a child run to you and grab you by your waist, you lean down and hug him. That’s a human being’s natural reaction. It’s to lean down and protect yourself. It’s a friendly way if a child do it, but if a grown man come and grab your waist, the first thing you’re going to do is lean on him.”

Banks said it was rational of Klitschko to lean down, rather than just stand there and allow a fighter to hit him. He also felt Klitschko did the right thing by boxing Banks patiently throughout the 12 rounds.

“He could’ve just stayed there and had a toe-to-toe battle. It made no sense. The crowd would’ve loved it, but it would’ve made no sense for his career,” Banks said. “This late in your career, you’re going to stand there toe-to-toe when you don’t have to? You got good legs. Use your legs and move out of the way and move and box him, and I think that’s what he did.”

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