AJ didn't quit, he was waiting for the ref to replace his gum-shield. Fact.

[Fenster]

Joshua did step forward when asked and removed his hands from the ropes, he then stepped back. All the while the ref is holding his gum-shield in his left hand whilst counting with his right. Joshua isn't unresponsive, he's shocked at it being waved off.

I'm not disputing the refs decision, merely stating Joshua acted like a fighter expecting his gum-shield to be replaced after he'd obeyed the refs command.

There's literally dozens and dozens of other refs who would have put the gum-shield back in his mouth or handed it to the corner to rinse let alone took hold of his gloves when he stepped forward. Wiped them.

Does anyone seriously think Jack Reiss or Steve Smoger or Micky Vann or Kenny Bayless or Steve Willis would have acted the same way?

[Primo Carnera]

Joshua did step forward when asked and removed his hands from the ropes, he then stepped back. All the while the ref is holding his gum-shield in his left hand whilst counting with his right. Joshua isn't unresponsive, he's shocked at it being waved off.

I'm not disputing the refs decision, merely stating Joshua acted like a fighter expecting his gum-shield to be replaced after he'd obeyed the refs command.

There's literally dozens and dozens of other refs who would have put the gum-shield back in his mouth or handed it to the corner to rinse let alone took hold of his gloves when he stepped forward. Wiped them.

Does anyone seriously think Jack Reiss or Steve Smoger or Micky Vann or Kenny Bayless or Steve Willis would have acted the same way?

I agree that he didn't quit, but I think the ref (who lets not forget is a foot away from the fighter.) made a good stoppage. maybe he should've given the gum shield to the corner to rinse and put back in, but maybe he didn't bother because he knew it was over.
at the end of the day, this is all periphery. Even Eddie admitted, the fight was done.

[TitoFan]

Food for thought here:

First as I've already stated, I don't believe Joshua "quit". Was he raring to go when he got up? No. He was still buzzed and the ref ultimately did the right thing. But the word "quit" is thrown around too loosely in boxing.

Also, I've seen that the majority on here have stated their own opinions as well, that Joshua didn't quit.

Howeverrrrrrrr.............

Had the exact same thing happened to Wilder instead..... would we have the same people saying the same things?

[KickMuck]

He was a beaten man. I think it was a case of just howmuch do you want to see the man beaten. Ref did a good job and stopped it. All we can all do is imagine what would have happened if he put the mouth peice back in and let them continue. Maybe he would have shook it off and got back in to the fight. Or maybe beaten to a pulp and exited the ring like David Price.

Regardless of what happened i will take the positives. Its great to see an upset of this caliber. And lets face it AJ is gonna come back with a bit of fire in his belly and take them belts back. Its all good for HW boxing, it has ruffled the feathers of the division. It will prompt fights that where hesitant and stale to happen. I love a good upset regardless of who it is.