I had the boys round to mine for the fight so decided to fire on Gatti Ward 1 for my mates who hadn't seen it (casual fans yes) instead of the build up fights (good decision in hindsight). And then we see a stoppage like that. Which begs the question .......... How many more super fights could we have witnessed IF the referee's didn't jump in too early? Gatti Ward would have been stopped 50 times over if Foster was in the middle that night. I guess its a fine line between our entertainment and a boxers safety.
British boxing is still feeling the repercussions of having Eubank/Watson II and Benn/McLellan in quick succession.
There are dozens of classic fights that have taken place over the past 15 years or so that could never have occurred in a British ring with a British ref. I could give a whole list of examples, but just to name one - the first Pac-JMM would never have left the first round....and that in turn would likely have meant we'd never have got the three rematches that followed. We've potentially been robbed of a LOT of great fights in this country imo.
What - so accept deaths / severe injuries - or ban boxing? Hmmm. I think the odd premature stoppage is the better option for boxing fans.
jaime moore and macklin is the 1st one that pops into my head michael broadie and Injin Chi in their 1st fight?? prob about 90% of any fight featuring michael gomez?
This thread made me think of when Micky Vann refused to allow Graham Earls corner to throw in the towel in against Katsidis, Vann actually kicked the towel out of the ring :shock: Just one in defence of the referee there!
