Sometimes fighters do it cuz they are too lazy to finish the job or they dont have the ability to knock them out and they need help from the ref. Its not out of mercy. Judah wasnt showing mercy on Spinks. He just wanted to the ref to save him a job. Same with Eubank Wharton. Johnny Nelson did the same thing in round 1 vs some Brazilian. The ref didnt buy it and it went 12 rounds in the end. Rogan was desperate and wanted help from the ref I think. Holmes was boosting is own ego by asking the ref to stop it, he didnt feel for Marvis.

Ayers vs Rigby is the exception as that was a real example of mercy and so was Jones vs Pazienza.