He's a good ref, but he was very indecisive last night. The ref and NOT the doctor is the only one that can stop a fight in NY.....the end of Cotto-Margo was ridiculous. Smoger didn't want to make the call, so he waited and waited and kept asking the doctor his opinion when it was always his call to make.
They had an eye doctor there, Margo's eye was pissing blood behind that closed eye. I do agree that him not being in charge fully was a bit strange.
I loved in the Cotto/Jew fight. The Jew's corner threw in the towel and Smoger was like **** your towel. This fight continues.
Listen to his interviews. He attends seminars and knows what he is looking for. That is why he didn't stop Pavlik/Taylor 1 in the second round.
No, he was in no position to go against the doctor under the circumstances. He was making the doctor give a clear, definitive call, not just mumble and walk off so the doctor could later claim he said to stop it and Smoger didn't. Only the ref can stop the fight, but it would be one might stupid ref to go against the ringside physician.
It does seem a little strange with this kissing or whatever, but I can understand it. Smoger genuinely cares about the fighters and hell, he's been reffing these guys fights for years. There's a true sportsmanlike bond there.
Their corners should be the first line of defense for the boxer. Watch Smoger, he will look at the fighters corner because you can judge from them and get clues also. In the end it is a judgment call. Sometimes three or 4 punches can land as a ref is getting into position to stop a fight. They also have to be careful they don't get clocked themselves. And in the end, you usually get about as many people saying the fight was stopped too soon as saying it was stopped to late.
The corner is always the first line of defense the ref is there to protect the fighters and keep it clean but a fighters corner is without a doubt should be the first ones to stop a fight
