Referee Price/Thompson...

If Terry O Connor was in there, Thompson gets stopped 'for his safety' in the 2nd

 

The simple fact they are British does not make Fury and Haye domestic level fighters. Paul Smith is a domestic level super-middleweight, but he wouldn't stand a chance against Froch and already lost to Degale and Groves.

Domestic level heavyweights are people like Sprott, Towers, McDermott, Audley and at a push Chisora.

 

The truth is that when the ref gave a standing count, he should have stepped in and stopped it. Price had effectively quit both mentally and physically at that point. The ref just used the 8 seconds to look into his eyes and see he was done. I don't think Price was trapped but I think this occassion shows that a count was not needed but a straight stoppage. To avoid fighters having to guess a refs mindset, the ref should be vocal "defend yourself", "fight back", "show me something or I'll stop the fight". I am opposed to any unnecessary break in the flow of a fight and I feel a standing 8 count is just that, as is the mandatory 8 count. If a fighter gets up and wants to fight after 4 seconds then let him.

 

I would agree the eight count for Price was futile.

As for no mandatory 8 count...

It is the 21st Century, the mandatory eight is a good way for the ref to have a few extra seconds to assess the situation. And for the fighter who has gone down, to compose themselves after being buzzed. So I have no problem with it. But that said, I want a return to 15 round world title fights, so my 'it is the 21st Century' remark does look a bit hypocritical!