howard foster, can I remind you

[Horse]

Jim Rosentals ringside manner was very annoying. Am I the only one who found the way he talked to Thaxton to be extremely condescending. All this talk about noone wanting to see Thaxton hurt, if this was the case then why was the fight made in the first place if John was in need of such protection?. Thaxton is certainly past his best but he is still dangerous, hence the 'quick as you can' stoppage.

I agree, I think he was needlessly rude to Thaxton's trainer as well.

[gobbles]

Jim Rosentals ringside manner was very annoying. Am I the only one who found the way he talked to Thaxton to be extremely condescending. All this talk about noone wanting to see Thaxton hurt, if this was the case then why was the fight made in the first place if John was in need of such protection?. Thaxton is certainly past his best but he is still dangerous, hence the 'quick as you can' stoppage.

I agree, I think he was needlessly rude to Thaxton's trainer as well.

I thought he was very professional with Dominic Ingle. Ingle was well out of order shouting his mouth off.

[stujones]

I think Rosenthal was right to tell Ingle to shut up. Let the two John's speak.

Although I think he could have let Jon give his opinion more instead of voicing his concerns about his future. Have to say though, ITV are quite a close nit team - so Rosenthal probably considers Thaxton a friend.

NEBF - Thaxton never lost his British title in the ring, and never won the belt for keeps.... can see why he wanted this chance.

[fatcity69]

Jim Rosentals ringside manner was very annoying. Am I the only one who found the way he talked to Thaxton to be extremely condescending. All this talk about noone wanting to see Thaxton hurt, if this was the case then why was the fight made in the first place if John was in need of such protection?. Thaxton is certainly past his best but he is still dangerous, hence the 'quick as you can' stoppage.

I agree, I think he was needlessly rude to Thaxton's trainer as well.

I thought he was very professional with Dominic Ingle. Ingle was well out of order shouting his mouth off.

Under the circumstances I dont think Dom was out of order at all and I for one would ahve liked to have heard what he had to say. Someone should tell Jim that post fight interviews are supposedly meant to give the viewer information on what happened in the fight. He only seemed to be interested in steering the interview into the 'well done murray, nice try Thaxton but youve had 17 good yaers' area. The whole thing was terribly biased imo. Or is it just a coincidence that Murray is the promoters fighter?

[fatcity69]

They dismissed Thaxton so blatantly I;m only surprised Jim didnt give him a gold watch post fight. Would have fitted in well with his condescending post fight patter.

[stujones]

Thaxton is Henessey's fighter also. There is only a limited time to speak... I'm sorry, but needed to hear most from Murray.. He won the fight.

The Ingles have a reputation of hogging the mike at Interviews..... Jim knew what he was doing.

[fatcity69]

But wiht the nature of the stoppage the Ingles had every right to be annoyed. Jim was so 'onside' with his interview it was almost as if he'd spent the afternoon rehersing it. The whole show has left a very bad taste in my mouth. The fury fight was just the icing on the cake.

[gobbles]

Under the circumstances I dont think Dom was out of order at all and I for one would ahve liked to have heard what he had to say. Someone should tell Jim that post fight interviews are supposedly meant to give the viewer information on what happened in the fight. He only seemed to be interested in steering the interview into the 'well done murray, nice try Thaxton but youve had 17 good yaers' area. The whole thing was terribly biased imo. Or is it just a coincidence that Murray is the promoters fighter?

Thaxton is a Hennessy fighter too. Indeed, Thaxton has done lots of summariser work with the ITV4 team, so I doubt Jim was being patronising.

[fatcity69]

Under the circumstances I dont think Dom was out of order at all and I for one would ahve liked to have heard what he had to say. Someone should tell Jim that post fight interviews are supposedly meant to give the viewer information on what happened in the fight. He only seemed to be interested in steering the interview into the 'well done murray, nice try Thaxton but youve had 17 good yaers' area. The whole thing was terribly biased imo. Or is it just a coincidence that Murray is the promoters fighter?

Thaxton is a Hennessy fighter too. Indeed, Thaxton has done lots of summariser work with the ITV4 team, so I doubt Jim was being patronising.

But Murray is the guy with the money riding on him for big things in the future. Its actually quite a common thing in boxing for a promoter to match one of his rising stars with one of his older 'fading' fighters. Jim may not have meant to be condescending but thats how he came across anyway. Maybe hes lost his touch too, or perhaps he was just too intent on remaining onside in his interview.

[Lightsoot]

Howard's a fantastic referee, arguably Britain's best IMO. He doesn't shirk a difficult decision, whether judging, stopping a fight or throwing a boxer out for continued fouls.

Tonight, however, I think he was a little too quick on the draw to stop Thaxton, in a championship fight. In Howard's defence, he has to make a judgement as he sees it. The fact this was Thaxton's last chance is immaterial, Foster made his judgement based on whether he thought Thaxton was fit to continue, whether Jono's 18, 21 or 35. I think this is one of those fights where the ref was too quick to stop it but the outcome wouldn't have changed. Thaxton was being systematically overwhelmed.

Nevertheless, a boxer is supposed to be stopped when he is no longer considered to be able to defend himself, not when those in the middle deem they are saving him from what they consider to be the inevitable.

[Wrists]

I think we covered this in a thread a couple of weeks ago - it was a very early and bad stoppage, honestly all this rubbish about 'it was inevitable' yada yada yada, makes me angry.

Was Jono in control of his senses? = Yes
Was he rocking? = No
Is he a puncher? = Yes, even at this late stage of his career.

No-one wants to see anyone get hurt, but surely these early stoppages are doing more harm than good (cue mass hysteria).

If anything, Murray was denied a chance to make it even more emphatic.

I am with JamesMc on this - too early, far too early

[hurlock]

Yes in a way he's prolonged Jon's career by doing that... prolonged the beatings. Thaxton won't retire like that. I can see Murray vacating and Thaxton going for the British title again.

agree with you there,just coz of thaxtons age etc the ref is being somewhat compassionate,if he feels this way towards jonno he shouldnt officiate the bout,as the guy is there on merit.

[belowthebelt]

dO you think that the ref would have stopped it if it had been Murray on the ropes like that ...?I don't.. Hopefully jono retires now, I think he's still got a little bit of fight left in him, but he's fading and I don't think anybody would like to see him get hurt. Great career

[Spud]

I thought Howard stopped the fight a tadge early - but unless there was a miracle there was no way back for Jono - so whilst you could argue it was early and the ref should have given Jono a chance there is also the argument Jono was hurt and the Ref stopped him from taking anymore unnecessary shots.

It hardly a massive controversy.

A good win for John Murray.

[Wrists]

Agree to disagree Spud it was a bad stoppage

[Autobarn]

Well done Howard Fuckin' Foster - you've tarnished a great performance by John Murray.

No one's talking about the excellent technical skills Murray showed in there and how Murray completely shut down Thaxton; they're all feeling sorry for Thaxton.

Murray was outclassing and wobbling Thaxton. Murray should have been allowed to do an ABSOLUTE number on Thaxton, who has been blocking his path far too long.

Anyway, to the facts: no one's going to beat Murray at British level, he's on a great roll stopping Meager, McAllister, Lawton and Thaxton.

Re the Ingles - glad Rosenthal told him to shut up. Bet they would have pulled Thaxton out shortly after more of that. And bet they kept quiet after Johnny Nelson v Carl Thompson WORLD title fight (Thompson being a fighter who wins while he's behind, unlike Thaxton).

[Spud]

Autobarn & Wrists,

I honestly believe Howard Foster is our countries best Referee and yes I even rate him above Richie Davies who I believe is also exceptional.

I have stated the stoppage was a tadge early - but the camera shots of the stoppage which ITV showed after the fight you could see Jono was badly hurt - I completely concede Jono is one hell of tough warrior and he would have battled until he was sparked but was that necessary??

Before people really jump on the criticism wagon here - yes the stoppage was early in comparison to other fights - I agree with that - but do you honestly see whether there was any way Jono could have got back into the fight against an already overwhelming favourite who most of us stated on here prior to the fight that Murray would win comfortably. Maybe there was an element of compassion in the stoppage and quite simply Howard did not want Jono to take any un-necessary punishment and maybe just maybe he predjudged what he would do prior to the fight if Jono or even Murray was put in that position.

Seriously have a look at the excellent camera shots that ITV showed when summing up the fight - I honestly believe it was still early but hardly the worlds biggest boxing controversy.

[McCannW14]

This was for a british title, and this also isn't amateur boxing.

Murray probably would have won, but for god's sake, he deserves a chance to stage a fightback.

I'm furious, very poor officiating.

It was premature, but better that than too late. Almost every shot Murray caught him with shook him to his heels. Thaxton was lunging in with the left cross, his jab was poor, and his handspeed poor. He was never going to win. He looked like a shot fighter to me.

Id rather Thaxton went out like that than out cold.

We we only see if there is any damage years after he retires.

When people moan about the stoppage, I agree it was premature. But I say look at Howard Clarke, then ask if you wanted Thaxton to carry on?

[Autobarn]

This was for a british title, and this also isn't amateur boxing.

Murray probably would have won, but for god's sake, he deserves a chance to stage a fightback.

I'm furious, very poor officiating.

It was premature, but better that than too late. Almost every shot Murray caught him with shook him to his heels. Thaxton was lunging in with the left cross, his jab was poor, and his handspeed poor. He was never going to win. He looked like a shot fighter to me.

Id rather Thaxton went out like that than out cold.

We we only see if there is any damage years after he retires.

When people moan about the stoppage, I agree it was premature. But I say look at Howard Clarke, then ask if you wanted Thaxton to carry on?

i didn't think he looked shot. he looked exactly this way vs romanov, even though he was fresher then.

[Wrists]

Fair play fellas - to be honest whether or not the fight was stopped early is probably not something worth arguing passionately over.

Big respect to Thaxton for a good career.

Murray - needs to be stepped up NOW and needs to fight again within 4/5 months.

Get him a Katsidis or a european title shot, anything less is bad promoting by Hennessey.

[Autobarn]

Autobarn & Wrists,

I honestly believe Howard Foster is our countries best Referee and yes I even rate him above Richie Davies who I believe is also exceptional.

I have stated the stoppage was a tadge early - but the camera shots of the stoppage which ITV showed after the fight you could see Jono was badly hurt - I completely concede Jono is one hell of tough warrior and he would have battled until he was sparked but was that necessary??

Before people really jump on the criticism wagon here - yes the stoppage was early in comparison to other fights - I agree with that - but do you honestly see whether there was any way Jono could have got back into the fight against an already overwhelming favourite who most of us stated on here prior to the fight that Murray would win comfortably. Maybe there was an element of compassion in the stoppage and quite simply Howard did not want Jono to take any un-necessary punishment and maybe just maybe he predjudged what he would do prior to the fight if Jono or even Murray was put in that position.

Seriously have a look at the excellent camera shots that ITV showed when summing up the fight - I honestly believe it was still early but hardly the worlds biggest boxing controversy.

Spud, as you know I am somewhat biased toward Murray and Gallagher. I think Foster has taken their glory a bit. There will be more message board actiivty on Foster's stoppage, then there will be credit for Murray giving a brutally efficient performance. This is my concern: they wait SO long for this fight, they were agitated about this ages ago, they outclass the guy and get hardly any credit. The story of the fight should have been Murray's quality, Murray moving ahead. Instead it was "poor Jon Thaxton."

I can't watch the replay. Some twat pulled some cable out of my DVD recorder so I recorded nothing but effing snow.

I agree, Murray would have battered him absolutely and done some harm if it went on too long. Thaxton's argument was unconvincing - that he was going to get Murray in the late rounds. Don't want to second guess a true warrior, a real hardman and a memorable British/EBU champ. But when Thaxton loses his way, vs this class of fighter, he does not get back into it. The late rounds - if it got there - would have been Murray walking through him.

[Tykemania]

This was for a british title, and this also isn't amateur boxing.

Murray probably would have won, but for god's sake, he deserves a chance to stage a fightback.

I'm furious, very poor officiating.

Here's a question - how can he justify that stoppage when compared with some of the absolute shellackings that Danny Williams has been allowed to take over the years because of his so-called powers of recovery?

[boxerrob2005]

I guess the problem with the fight is that the ref knew already that Thaxton was on the slide so took this into account when he stopped it. If it was an international ref who had never heard of either fighter im sure it would of carried on, but it would be almost impossible to have a british ref who didnt know about the fighters historys.

[McCannW14]

Fair play fellas - to be honest whether or not the fight was stopped early is probably not something worth arguing passionately over.

Big respect to Thaxton for a good career.

Murray - needs to be stepped up NOW and needs to fight again within 4/5 months.

Get him a Katsidis or a european title shot, anything less is bad promoting by Hennessey.

It wouldnt be bad promoting by Hennessy, more due to the fact that TV has a rapidly diminishing appetite for Boxing.

[Poncey]

Jim Rosentals ringside manner was very annoying. Am I the only one who found the way he talked to Thaxton to be extremely condescending.

x2