The referee and his corner, especially, should hang their heads in shame - there was no reason for him to be beaten so badly he has ended up in hospital. From what I could see, during round ten especially, Briggs WASN'T fighting back and it is the referee's responsibility to look after the boxer's welfare -even more so when his corner aren't doing him justice.Heavyweight title challenger Shannon Briggs is reportedly in critical condition in the intensive care unit at the University Hospital Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany. Briggs suffered fractures below both eyes as well as a concussion, after taking dozens of hard shots from WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko on Saturday night, but is responsive according to RTL. He also suffered a pulled tendon and torn muscle in his right arm.
Briggs was rushed to the hospital after the fight as doctors feared a possible cerebral hemorrhage after observing symptoms associated with neurological disturbances and drowsiness.
Referee Ian John-Lewis, who has received criticism for not stopping the fight, said he was within “one or two shots” of stopping it. “It was a heavyweight world championship,” he said. “These are tough guys and as long as a man fights back, you have to give him a chance.”
Bookmarks