Should AJ v Pulev been stopped in the 3rd round?

Please go watch Duane Thomas vs John Mugabi.....

 

But why would you want the fight to be stopped in round 3? Pulev survived until round 9 so whats the reason for it to be stopped in round 3 and us robbed of some action

 

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Yes because I had money on it & lost!

 

There is a precedent that turning your back like that is a signal you've quit but there's also the precedent of allowing HW title fights to go keep going past the point other fights would be stopped.

You can see the ref's indecision and then he realized the moment passed so he just kept it going.

Seemed pointless to continue but by that logic it seemed pointless for AJ to fight Pulev to begin with. Is it possible AJ thought Pulev would be good preparation for Usyk?

 

Tactics wise, as he was hurt, what Pulev should have done is quickly took a knee and spat his gumshield out to initiate the count, and then quickly got back up and walk to the corner and stand there with both arms out stretched on the ropes. When the ref had finished his count Pulev could have made the decision or not to walk forward to carry on after the ref prompts him.

I've got a funny feeling Pulev would have walked forward with gusto to carry on....

 

err, since always;

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I'm glad it went on as long as it did. We got the decisive end the fight needed rather than the endless poor job talk the officials did that night.

Technically could it have been stopped - there is an argument for it but ultimately the ref made the right call and we got to see a clear winner.