Should the Crolla-Matthews fight have been stopped?

[boxref]

The important word there is may. Crolla did seem to be in trouble but it was right at the end of the round, Derry himself had been hurt by some heavy body shots with just over a minute to go. Crolla was moving back and still throwing.

And yes, the referee doesn't keep a stopwatch, but I work in 50 minute blocks. I can tell, with decent accuracy, when 50 minutes is about to close without keeping a timepiece.

Exactly. It's not beyond the capabilities of a ref to know that it's nearing the end of a round. Surely there was the 10 sec clacker sound?

No 10 second clacker in a british ring. Surely any proper boxing fan would have that knowledge????

[StevenB]

Another over cautious stoppage in a British ring. I'd rather see a fight stopped too soon than too late but Crolla was in no danger there and there was plenty of time left in the fight. Matthews was struggling almost every time Crolla went to the body. The cut influenced the ref IMO. Credit to Derry though, I thought Crolla would beat him up. Very poor stoppage though

[boxbet]

Very bad stoppage, To change things like this email complaint to sky. Writing on here wont change anything.

[Old bones Ian]

Early or not, Crolla should of made this an easy night, he choosed the wrong tactics. It wasn't the refs fault that Crolla didn't move his head and got hit far to many times. There wern't many complaints from Crolla at the stoppage.

[Craig14]

No, but you can't take away that Derry deserved the win. That uppercut in the 3rd was great to watch! And he got in Crolla's face (and head) hope there's a re-match, cracking fight.

[tear up]

Well Derry the fight was a great fight two warrior s I did think crolla was gettin some were who knows if he had got that minute I think the tide could of turned in the 7 but take my hat off to him the way he s came back

[stujones]

I hope there is no immediate rematch..... I hope Crolla moves back down to 9st 4, before fighting Watson he said he was going to move down to 9 stone.

He's no lightweight.

[Brute]

Those who criticize a referee for stopping a fight when they think it was too early should remember that the referee he is the one who has to give evidence at the inquest if a fighter dies and that failing to stop a fight before a fighter is badly hurt will always live in his memory.

As my late Uncle Bert used to say: "It's all right for you to wear dry shoes and carry umbrellas."

[the truth]

crollas head was rolling on the ropes he would of got kod without the stoppage imoh

[derry]

Terrible stoppage, Matthews was hurt more in previous round than Crolla was in the last one, he wasn't taking huge amounts of punches and was still defending himself well. Rematch has to be ordered IMO

Not once did any hurt me and I told my trainer at end of first he didn't hit hard he said go get him out of there with heavy shots and that's what I did

[billy nelson]

Terrible stoppage, Matthews was hurt more in previous round than Crolla was in the last one, he wasn't taking huge amounts of punches and was still defending himself well. Rematch has to be ordered IMO

Not once did any hurt me and I told my trainer at end of first he didn't hit hard he said go get him out of there with heavy shots and that's what I did

Well done Derry the two of yous done boxing proud,hope you go on to win lonsdale belt outright mate

[cocobongo]

Paul Smith was in Crollas Corner and put on his Twitter


"Plan A went out the window never mind Plan B. he didnt know what was being said to him half the time, the 1st kd shook him bad"

and

" he was gone lad you dont even think of plan a when you can barley remember where you are!"

if Crollas own corner are saying this how can anyone begrudge the stoppage fighters safter is priority

[MightyWarrior]

I thought the stoppage was good, Crolla looked like he was about to get badly knocked out, and above comments seem to back this up.

[Wrists]

At the time I thought it was an awful stoppage.

If what Smigga is saying on twitter is true then its well timed.

Regardless both fighters deserve massive credit, especially Matthews for turning his career round.

I think there should be a rematch but would understand if there wasnt one.

[Giancarlo]

Those who criticize a referee for stopping a fight when they think it was too early should remember that the referee he is the one who has to give evidence at the inquest if a fighter dies and that failing to stop a fight before a fighter is badly hurt will always live in his memory.

As my late Uncle Bert used to say: "It's all right for you to wear dry shoes and carry umbrellas."

Uncle Bert was a wise man.

So, what did you make of this stoppage then Brute?

[jessi]

Fair stoppage, didn't see the corner complain to much.