Instant Replay?

[Hunter]

What do you guys think?? What calls would be reviewable??

We saw last night that two nasty cuts were both incorrectly called by the referee... Alfredo's was caused by a headbut and was ruled a punch, Kermit's was caused by a punch and ruled a headbut....So I think reviewing how a cut was caused is one way to use Instant Replay....

But as far as these crazy refs taking points away in underserving situations (like when he took a point from Sergio for punching Kermit behind the head when Kermit kept leaning over) I am not sure it would help.....

How about reviewing if a fighter beat the count?

Where else would replay help?

[Diane]

Actually, New Jersey allows for instant replay in all Boxing and MMA fights.

This is their criteria:

– a knockdown versus a slip
– accidental versus intentional fouls
– if a cut was the result of a legal strike
– if a fighter beat the count
– low blows
– whether or not a strike landed before the bell rang

The Commissioner, if approached during a round by the contestant's chief second, would review the issue at the end of the round. The bout would be temporarily stopped during the rest period and the Commissioner would have a maximum of three minutes to render a decision or choose to reserve his judgment because further review is needed. Upon the Commissioner's ruling, the bout would then be restarted and would continue.

There is a catch though. The State of New Jersey is not able to supply instant replay. They are leaving it up to the promoter to provide the necessary equipment if the promoter so chooses. Promoters that don’t have the funds or simply choose not to employ instant replay will not be required by the State to do so. At this point, instant replay will be employed if the promoter chooses to utilize it, but it will not be uniformly required.

To my knowledge though, I have not seen one fight in Atlantic City use instant replay yet. So I guess the promoters don't see the need for it, or they are just too cheap to fork over the money to cover the cost.

[Spicoli]

I think its absolutly essential if Boxing chooses to evolve into the modern media era with technology as have some other major sports.There have been countless instances over the years in which it was very much needed to insure accuracy and just rulings.The ultimate spell check for appointed officials and an insurance policy of sorts for the fighters.

One glaring example was a fight involving Anthony Thompson and Ismael Arvin last August.Thompson was rebounding from a disputed loss against Yuri Foreman in his previous fight and was pretty much in control through the early going.In the 3rd round Thompson dropped an eager Arvin twice for 2 KD's.In the ensuing action,Thompson was on the receiving end of a bad headbutt,leaving a nasty gash above his eye.Between rounds,as is the norm,ESPN replayed the clash and it was as clear as a sunny day to viewers and an "ohhhing" live audience that the headbutt caused the cut.None the less,The ref ruled it a punch.As the fight progressed Thompson maintained tempo but was bothered by the bleeding.In the 6th round,on the refs (?) and ringside Doctors examination,the fight was stopped.Chaos and uncertainy ensued.....The commentators actually talked to commission members who asked for the 3rd round to be replayed,they watched the time frame & headbutt on live TV twice I believe and talked it over in the middle of the ring.It was very obvious to anyone with functional eye sight....all the while Thompson was pleading his case as were many members of his camp.Personally,I thought we were witnessing a turning point for Boxing,a big step for the future.None the less...they opted for the politics and stubborness of restrictive regulations when conclusive evidence was right in front of them,plain as day.One would think that a reading of the scorecards was in order...at the very least for a technical decision either way?The officials stood by the refs ruling of a phantom punch and Thompson was declared a Loser via TKO.
One suit actually told Thompson "You cant go back in time "? Huh.No but you can make an accurate call when the careers and futures of these athletes are at stake.Dumbazz.


A major concern may be a timely use of Replay,so as to not delay the action in the slightest.In Thompsons case,officials at ringside had an entire 3+ rounds to look at a monitor,all the while the action could have continued.Not to mention seeing it afterwards in the ring.Any delay in a fights momentum should be avoided...I think with two officials whose sole purpose is to review instances can achieve this.Question is...how do we determine what is to be reviewed.Does the opposing corner throw flags at the ref??Also...we intrust Judges,referees,etc to make the right calls...and we all know how that ends up at times.Whats to say replay officials can not be corrupted,regardless of what is staring them in the face.Bit of a rant,need coffee.