There are different schools for this. When I did boxing I held my hands open and just before the impact I closed them really hard. In boxing, or all martial arts to be exact, you want to be as relaxed as possible. When you close your hand your muscles tend to tense up, which drains energy and makes you more tired.

But I would still do as my trainer told me to do. There isn't really a right or wrong in this.

You are correct in saying that there are different strokes for different folks. Loose fists is fine inside a glove till ready to hit and it's a reflex action learned to keep the hands from tiring. You never hit a bag or opponent with open hands. Period.

No hard and fast rule here, and yes, I agree that keeping it open and closing it at the right time will make your muscles more relaxed. George Foreman, during his comeback, adopted that style. He mentioned that he didn't even had to clench his fist tight when he punched. Just enough to knock his opponents down, lol...

don't clinch. leave it open. if you can't clinch at right time that is the point. practice it until it comes by natural. keep practicing. good luck.

Never try to clinch. all time try to open it. if you arei week about clinch in right time then you need practice more and more.

In Boxing, when your hands are inside the boxing glove, are you suppose to make a fist or is it suppose to be open? Which is the correct way? When im shadow boxing, my coach tells me to make a fist and shadow box. Lots of people do it differently. They leave their hands open and only clench when they hit the bag. Which way is the right way? If I make a fist and hit the heavy bag, i tend to strike the bag without hurting my hands but i feel more stiff because im making a fist. When i open my fist and hit the bag, i feel more relaxed but i tend to hurt my hands because i cant clench at the right time. Help me pls