I don't get all this hatred of Cortez. He was breaking up the clinches quickly, ensuring that Hopkins couldn't eat up more time in the clinches. (And when was the last time you saw a ref impose his will on Hopkins, making him fight like he's supposed to... punching more and lunging and clinching less.)
Hopkins milked a questionable low blow. But who is the ref to say that a punch that did land in the cup area does not warrant a 5-minute rest, which is granted by the rules? And the second time... yes, Cortez took a few seconds to sort it out. But he did command Hopkins to continue fighting.
Bottom line: Hopkins has been fighting this style of fight during his entire lengthy career. Why trash the ref now because the fight was closer than Calzaghe fans would've liked?
Could this have more to do with Calzaghe's inability to finish off Hopkins that with the ref? Just asking.
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