I am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Anyone that KNOWS boxing knows the stoppage was excellent, done at the right time. I am just curious how someone can be affiliated with the sport for 35 years and not see that.
Boxing fan. And for 35 years, I have watched the sport steadily degraded by quicker and quicker stoppages, the elimination of the championship rounds, and all kinds of unnecessary bull**** that has sissified what was once a much purer sport, one in which matters were settled IN THE RING by fighters - not by squeamish refs, supported by faint-hearted "fans." In my day, fans complained constantly when refs did **** like this. As they should today.
In general, i agree. In this case, maybe it wasn't premature. It wouldn't have taken more than other 10-15 seconds to finish him, anyway.
Should a fight ordinarily be stopped on that one punch Kovalev landed after the ref called time in, without Pascal going down first? No. However, placing the situation in context, with Pascal having staggered around drunk off that previous assault that made Kovalev fall down...it was a fine stoppage.
Fans watching the fight on TV should try to imagine the view point of the ref in the ring. He can hear the sound of the thudding shots that Pascal was taking over the fight and is very close to see in to the eyes of Pascal and judge his sense of awareness. On the other hand, Pascal was exploding with hard counting punches now and again and may have gotten lucky and turned the fight if he had the chance to fight on. Difficult decision.
So essentially you are a "man" that never fought in the ring, thinking the refs are making the sport "less manly" by stopping it when one of the fighters is out on his feet, his gloves below his waist, head open to attacks without a possibility of blocking or dodging huh. Am I understanding you correctly?
Also, on an unrelated note, would you be down for some light sparring? we stop when one of us is out face down on the canvas of course, like in the good old days that you're so dearly missing. I am a light heavyweight but would accommodate you if you're in higher weight class.