Wlad-Brewster - wtf happened?

Both with Wlad gassing out like that and so suddenly and the bizarre standing 8 the ref gave him, like it was an amateur fight, when Brewster pummelled him on the ropes?

 

I believe he was suffering from heat exhaustion if I recall but I stand to be corrected

 

Have you heard anything about why the ref gave him a standing 8?

 

I’d have to watch the fight again. Haven’t seen it since 2004 so anything I say may be inaccurate

 

I watched it for the first time in a long time and was really struck by those two things.

 

I watched it this morning funnily enough. The standing 8 was bizarre. Stepped in, pushed Brewster away and then started the count. Stepping in like that should probably have been a stoppage but it didn’t matter - he didn’t see round 6.

 

I don’t remember much about that fight at all really

 

Short answer is both landed their best shots , Brewster was able to take the pain , Wlad wasn't.. In round 3 or 4 , Brewster landed a thunderous left hook to the body which Wlad wasn't able to recover from.

You'll also notice the ref wouldn't let Wlad hug and grab his way out of trouble. . Byrd came to his corner between rounds to warn him