Should it have been stopped earlier?

[fightfan95]

After the events of last nights great tear up between Blackwell v Eubank Jr for the Brittish middleweight title, it seemed Eubank controlled majority of the rounds while Blackwell was coming back every now and then.

Eubank's uppercut looked like it was a magnet to Blackwell's chin, while getting success to the head and body. We knew going into this Blackwell would never give up and we knew he had a massive heart. There are many people who believe it should have been stopped earlier...

I don't think no one can argue that the doctor was correct and told the ref call it off but, should it have been stopped earlier? What do you think?

[Horse]

It could have been, but it wasn't obvious that it should have been stopped earlier.

[ikorolev]

Nick was fighting back landing some good shots, so the ref had no reasons to stop it yet until Blackwell's eye started swelling.

Unfortunately, people get hurt in boxing.

[Lancenix]

What is Blackwell's current status? Anyone know?

[ikorolev]

In induced coma.

[Lancenix]

In induced coma.

Really? Oh man.

[tigermoth87]

No

There was a moment in the 8th where I started thinking the ref should stop it since Eubank had Nick on the ropes and was landing some heavy shots. But then Blackwell started firing back.

Easy to say in hindsight that it should have been stopped. But Blackwell was fighting back pretty much the whole time and didn't look to be in any real danger of getting KO'd despite the big shots he was taking.

[Tarkus]

There was no strong reasons for the ref to stop it. I think this was a case where the corner should have pulled him off. It should have been clear for the trainer that Blackwell was outmatched and was not going to win. He was just getting punished. If it is on anyone its on a Gary Lockett.

[palooka]

There was no strong reasons for the ref to stop it. I think this was a case where the corner should have pulled him off. It should have been clear for the trainer that Blackwell was outmatched and was not going to win. He was just getting punished. If it is on anyone its on a Gary Lockett.

I don't think the finger should be pointed at Gary Lockett, Blackwell is a boxer who uses his fitness and toughness to make up for a lack of subtle or highly skilled moves. In Blackwell's last bout against Jones he pulled back a points deficit with a single punch and was lauded for it. Blackwell was on the front foot for most of the bout and Eubanks punches, bloody nose aside, didn't seem to be troubling him farmorethan Jones'. The gameplan must have been for Nick to make Eubank work hard and then press when he tired, Eubank didn't tire though. It is the nature of the sport that is to blame and maybe the fans (like us) who enjoy watching a hard, fiercely contested bout while ignoring the dangers and the physical price of Boxing.

(Nick Blackwels' eye injury reminded me of Rahmans injury v Holyfield).

[Syntax Error]

I think the referee stopped it at the right time.

Although Blackwell looked outclassed, he was still firing back & the referee has the give the champion enough of an opportunity to defend his title.

[Oiky]

i think the ref made a good call at stopping it when he did, as mentioned, blackwell wasn't having the best of it and he was getting outpunched in there but he was still game he was still determined and showed grit. god bless him and wish him the best of recovories

[palooka]

I thought the ref stopped the bout on the doctors advice because of the contusion over Nick's eye. If the eye hadn't been injured in such a visible way the bout would not have been stopped, Blackwell had not been dropped, badly wobbled and was still trying to fight back - the referee wasn't in the wrong and isn't to blame.

[Tarkus]

Blackwell is a boxer who uses his fitness and toughness to make up for a lack of subtle or highly skilled moves... The gameplan must have been for Nick to make Eubank work hard and then press when he tired, Eubank didn't tire though.

This style only works if your are competitive and not getting systematically thrashed. Not only Eubank did not tire, Blackwell himself was exhausted, he was taking lot of full blown shots for very long time. At some point his punches lost all snap and power, the fight became unwindable. I think Lockett should have seen it.

[Jimmy Diamond]

No blame on the ref for me, he never had a clear enough reason to stop it before he did and it's very difficult for him to make that call and risk getting the ridicoulous treatment Howard Foster recieved for his stoppage of GG.

I do think the corner could have pulled Blackwell out though, i remember noticing a drop off of Blackwells pressure and output around the 7th when i thought he should have been pulled out. The punches he was obsorbing were punishing blows and it was becoming uncomfortable viewing for me. To be fair to Lockett though, it was incredibly difficult with Fury, BJS ect all in the corner baying for more. Lets just hope Blackwell pulls through and makes a 100% recovery.

[PredatorHayds]

No way the ref could of stopped it as Nick was firing back under pressure.

No blame can be attached to Lockett either. The gameplan was to put pressure on early and try and catch up to him late.
Nick was losing the fight but was still coming on at the time of the stoppage but Eubabk was just too good skill wise and he didn't fold under the pressure.
Unfortunately accidents happen in boxing. Blackwell is as tough as they came and didn't take a backwards step despite a bit of a beating.
Also Eubank proved the stamina issues that people questioned over his BJS loss were down to inexperience. He's s very fit fighter.
We are extremely lucky in the UK to have the best safety practises in place for boxing. The quick work of the doctors and ambulance service probably saved his life.

[ikorolev]

Saunders told social media followers that he has contacted family members of the 25 year-old former Lonsdale Belt holder and has been told encouraging information regarding Blackwell’s chances of recovery.

“(I) Spoke to Nick’s Dad (and it’s) looking good. He will be back to us in no time. Keep him in (your) thoughts and prayers. God bless him and you all,” stated Saunders.

[Rexob]

I thought the ref stopped the bout on the doctors advice because of the contusion over Nick's eye. If the eye hadn't been injured in such a visible way the bout would not have been stopped, Blackwell had not been dropped, badly wobbled and was still trying to fight back - the referee wasn't in the wrong and isn't to blame.

Yeah, that's what happened.

[magwitch]

No

There was a moment in the 8th where I started thinking the ref should stop it since Eubank had Nick on the ropes and was landing some heavy shots. But then Blackwell started firing back.

Easy to say in hindsight that it should have been stopped. But Blackwell was fighting back pretty much the whole time and didn't look to be in any real danger of getting KO'd despite the big shots he was taking.

The last line is key here. Sometimes hurt boxers fight back. Unfortunately a light doesn't flash up that says I'm hurt I shouldn't carry on.
I may be wrong here but did not Michael Watson go out and complete a full twelfth round against Chris Eubank, despite having been profoundly injured in the 11th and not being able to remember it after?

[palooka]

Michael came out for the twelth round but was stopped on his feet pretty quickly with him pinned on the ropes as Eubank attacked.

[palooka]

Saunders told social media followers that he has contacted family members of the 25 year-old former Lonsdale Belt holder and has been told encouraging information regarding Blackwell’s chances of recovery.

“(I) Spoke to Nick’s Dad (and it’s) looking good. He will be back to us in no time. Keep him in (your) thoughts and prayers. God bless him and you all,” stated Saunders.

[magwitch]

Michael came out for the twelth round but was stopped on his feet pretty quickly with him pinned on the ropes as Eubank attacked.

You know...had I been on a laptop and not my crappy fone which is far more fiddly, I'd have done my research....
As it is, I went to check anyway, as a full round soundsa long time to do anything- let alone fight - let alone fight Chris Eubank....... and you're correct of course.
Mike was stopped at 29 seconds into round 12. Thanks for the correction I think my point is valid tho.... a Profoundly hurt man coming out to fight, but very few people knew it and that's after his corner had a full minute with him.

[palooka]

sometimes the damage is very dramatic and immediate and sometimes it takes time to become apparent, if it weren't for the Michael Watson scenario the young man last night, Nick Blackwell may well have suffered terrible damage. It's a real quirk of fate that both father and son have caused brain injury on an opponent, what are the odds?

[magwitch]

sometimes the damage is very dramatic and immediate and sometimes it takes time to become apparent, if it weren't for the Michael Watson scenario the young man last night, Nick Blackwell may well have suffered terrible damage. It's a real quirk of fate that both father and son have caused brain injury on an opponent, what are the odds?

The son may be more powerful than his dad. I know timing is as key as anything but the son has ganglier arms and can get some extra whip on them. Two genetically very strong men.
I said a year ago he was putting some big shots on thebags training and someone told me I was wrong and his technique was "all wrong".
He did something similar with Chudinov (sp?)...but thankfully - as much as we can know (I ain't seen his latest scan results) thankfully the guy was okay.

[PredatorHayds]

sometimes the damage is very dramatic and immediate and sometimes it takes time to become apparent, if it weren't for the Michael Watson scenario the young man last night, Nick Blackwell may well have suffered terrible damage. It's a real quirk of fate that both father and son have caused brain injury on an opponent, what are the odds?

The son may be more powerful than his dad. I know timing is as key as anything but the son has ganglier arms and can get some extra whip on them. Two genetically very strong men.
I said a year ago he was putting some big shots on thebags training and someone told me I was wrong and his technique was "all wrong".
He did something similar with Chudinov (sp?)...but thankfully - as much as we can know (I ain't seen his latest scan results) thankfully the guy was okay.

I worried for Chudinov.
That fight should of been stopped by ref or corner. He was a lot less competitive than Blackwell.

[Counter-puncher]

Mike was stopped at 29 seconds into round 12. T: I think my point is valid tho.... a Profoundly hurt man coming out to fight, but very few people knew it and that's after his corner had a full minute with him.

The tv commentary made no bones that Watson hadn't recovered at all in that minute, he was quite obviously out on his feet.