Quote Originally Posted by CFH View Post
This is a genuine question, where in the IBF rules does it state that following a KD at the end of the fight the fighter must take steps forward etc. to prove he can continue? The only relevant rule I have seen is (I think) rule 6, which states that if I fighter is KD'd at the end of the fight the count will continue until his gloves leave the canvas.
My understanding is that it follows directly from the 'cannot be saved by the bell in any round rule'; i.e. a fighter must be fit to continue, even if there is no actual time left on the clock (and the rule 6, you mention also states that the fight was not over at the 3min mark).

Personally I dont think Andrade necessarily won that fight, because none of us actually know what would have happened if the count had been done properly, and Bute been asked to step forward and clear hands. He was up before the 10 count, even without Wright's sheananigans, but he certainly did not look like he could walk forward to me. In any case the referee did handle this absolutely terrible, robbing us from knowing who really should have won.

As for Bilbo's comments that being pedantic in one are should lead to refs being pedantic in others (or then not at all), well there is a helluva difference between a ref protecting the fighters in the ring - his job - and a ref nitpicking technicalities. One thing might cost a fighter his life, the other... not so much.

Finally, I disagree with the notion that it would have been controversial in any case (a view I saw Dan Rafael subscribe to too btw). If the fight had been stopped before the knockdown, and yes I do think a case can be made for this, then absolutely it would have been controversial. If the fight was stopped because Lucian Bute received a count, was asked to walk forward and clear hands and failed to do this, then it might have been dramatic, but surely it wouldnt be controversial.