Job of the referee

[jmbtandy]

It seems strange these days that more and more fighters after a knockdown and have been counted are then referred to the ringside doctor to see if they are in a fit state to continue. Surely this is the referees job if they have to refer the fighter then surely they are not able to fight on.

An example of this happened in the Aaron Williams fight on Friday, Williams was knocked down and received an 8 count, then he was referred to the doctor in which he was allowed another 10-20 seconds recovery time, the doctor said he wasn't able to continue, but had the doctor said he was surely this is an unfair duration to allow the fighter to recover.

I have seen it a few times now and I just don't understand it, the count should be administered and then if the fighter is not ready to fight again the fight should be stopped immediately by the referee.

I understand if a bad cut or injury has occurred but not when a fighter is dazed, I wonder if it had been the other way around whether Herrera would have received the same consultation, I am thinking no.

[Youngblood]

From a fairness point of view, I suppose I agree with you.

From a medical point of view, that of trying to ascertain if a person might possibly be at a heightened risk of receiving irreversible brain damage, I understand it.

Atleast this can't really be exploited by the fighter, and is on the ref. Unlike low blow extra time and using the Hopkins 2nd try at a much needed rest faking that 2nd low blow to get collected. Was a nice try by him, but he failed and got told..."Git yer ass back in there!"

[jmbtandy]

From a fairness point of view, I suppose I agree with you.

From a medical point of view, that of trying to ascertain if a person might possibly be at a heightened risk of receiving irreversible brain damage, I understand it.

Atleast this can't really be exploited by the fighter, and is on the ref. Unlike low blow extra time and using the Hopkins 2nd try at a much needed rest faking that 2nd low blow to get collected. Was a nice try by him, but he failed and got told..."Git yer ass back in there!"

But if that was the case then surely the referee should just stop the fight, If a fighter is obviously dazed and not responding the way the referee wants the fight should be stopped there and then.

[Youngblood]

I know what you are saying, and I am semi-agreeing with you. But from the point of view of a fan, I'm hoping to see fights go the furthest distance possible. If that means the ref. can let it go on getting an okay from the ringside doc...then I am okay with it. Like I say, it's not like it can/will be exploited by the fighter.

[jmbtandy]

I know what you are saying, and I am semi-agreeing with you. But from the point of view of a fan, I'm hoping to see fights go the furthest distance possible. If that means the ref. can let it go on getting an okay from the ringside doc...then I am okay with it. Like I say, it's not like it can/will be exploited by the fighter.

I understand where you are coming from but I just don't get it. Does that mean after every 8 count when the fighter is wobbled he should be referred. Williams was obviously out on his feet and should have just been stopped, him being a hot prospect and his promoter was running the show do you not think it was just the referee giving him every possible chance to recover, if it was Herrera the fight would have been stopped there and then. Promoters usually already have the favour of the judges, do you think maybe the referees might be getting in on the act? If something like this is brought in there has to be guidelines of when it can be used. I want the fights to go on as long as possible too, but the count is there for a reason, if after that count the fighter is not able to continue the fight is over. You see a lot of fights stopped prematurely and if this is a way of stopping that from happening fair enough but occasionally it is used and occasionally not, I just think if it is used there needs to be rules attached to it.

[Youngblood]

If you got a dirty biased ref. in there, if he isn't able to exploit this rule, I am fairly sure he will find another.

I would hope they are trained well enough at this level to have some sort of medical cue to look out for in an instance like this. What that cue might be, I have no idea. Eyes not rolled back into head, check. Can stand, check. Knows where he is, check. Just said "mom, yer looking lovely tonight." Doc? lol just kidding, but am sure you know what I'm getting at.