Crossword Genius

Meaner pugilist using wrong side of fist (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tighter

'meaner' is the definition.
('tight' can be a synonym of 'mean')

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for tighter that I've seen before include "More close-fitting" , "more mean" , "More constricted" , "Less loose" , "more closely" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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