Thoughts with Nick Blackwell

[Andre]

Have not watched the fight but hope Blackwell rebounds to live a quality life. Yet another tragic example that while we sit behind keyboards and yell at the tube, there truly are no "bums" climbing into the ring regardless of ability level. They all get punched in the skull, and the damage is real.

Doubtful he will ever fight again though,real shame that and that is the real question, is it avoidable?

[p4pking]

If Blackwell had been ok afterwards, would people be making a big deal out of the fight not being stopped? That's all you can really ask as far as how it was handled. It was a routine mismatch with the loser being to tough for his own good, complete par for the course in boxing. If the fight had been stopped far sooner, Blackwell might have wound up in a similar way a couple of fights down the line, still partially a result of the damage he took in this one. It would be nice if there were medical advances that allowed people to detect disposition for risk of brain injuries in the future, barring that about all you can suggest is that people not get punched in the head for a living.

[Spicoli]

Have not watched the fight but hope Blackwell rebounds to live a quality life. Yet another tragic example that while we sit behind keyboards and yell at the tube, there truly are no "bums" climbing into the ring regardless of ability level. They all get punched in the skull, and the damage is real.

Doubtful he will ever fight again though,real shame that and that is the real question, is it avoidable?

I hope not as much as that sucks to say, imagine your entire career choice and way of life shut off over night. And that's the plus side of what we know could also be crippling or life ending injury. Cut and dry, no matter 1st round or 12th, fighters get hit and the inevitable result is damage. You inflict it and/or you avoid it. That's something we know at the door. It cannot be avoided to different degrees but key is lessening and being pro active. The last thing I want is to watch boxing go the way of the current NFL with the flag football injury-lawsuit conscience truckload of rules and penalties. But it starts at competent officiating and accountability. Even more so with the more and more obvious mismatches we buy into. Guys jumping not only class but weight division. Heavy favorites blowing weight and being allowed to pay some opponent an extra few thousand to "go along". Seriously more in favor of rehydration clauses now. Stateside we have States without athletic commissions who have to "borrow" officials for events and places where a Joe Mesi..with bleeding on the brain..can be allowed to fight. Or Oscar Larios going down to good ol' Mexico to do same. It doesn't always stop at Refs feet either, that's a bit of a cop out as I've watched commission heads literally leap over the top rope to stop obvious back street beatings the ref seemed to be tolerating all too much. That's a catch 22 yes but if you see your employee doing a shit job and pull him off the floor..so be it. Corners should also be allowed to again wave the flag or toss a towel instead of having it thrown out. And when you shout "one more round or else" fookin mean it! Maybe I'm getting old but we're not fookin cavemen. Don't get me wrong I love a great brawl and the primal yell of a fight but when we know its a showcase going in, we're all responsible. Having a granite beard or being so game is not necessarily a compliment so much as it is a constant to prove with some guys. Running on and in the wrong place
Get well Mr. Blackwell!

[imp]

Have not watched the fight but hope Blackwell rebounds to live a quality life. Yet another tragic example that while we sit behind keyboards and yell at the tube, there truly are no "bums" climbing into the ring regardless of ability level. They all get punched in the skull, and the damage is real.

Doubtful he will ever fight again though,real shame that and that is the real question, is it avoidable?

His career should be stopped.

He takes way to much damage.

He already lost to saunders and eubank jr so no point in continuing career as a journeyman.