Was the Wlad Stoppage Early? *POLL*

[SAPFO]

I know, another thread, but this ones specific as I know a few people who thought at the time it was early.


Wlad didn't seem to complain at the end, and he was already down twice that round, but nothing was landed in that final flury by AJ, it was more so that AJ had 'rushed' Wlad to finnish him off while Wlad was getting his bearings. Do you think 10 more seconds and Wlad was out cold, so the stoppage was just. Or was it slightly 'early'?

A good stoppage by the ref I think, allowing Wlad to remain dignified in defeat. Its fights like this where that 1 extra punch can cause brain damage.

[Ezzard]

Good stoppage... Maybe Wlad would have recovered but not worth the risk.

[wesshaw1985]

Good stoppage... Maybe Wlad would have recovered but not worth the risk.

too big of a fight for maybes...

[Boxerbeetle]

Absolutely not. The fact that Wlad didn't complain says it all.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Stoppage was bang on. He looked pretty spent after the second knockdown, I'd have not argued if it was stopped then.

[Flump]

Stoppage was bang on. He looked pretty spent after the second knockdown, I'd have not argued if it was stopped then.

This. He handled the whole fight well.

If it had been IJL, T O'C or Phil Edwards it would have been stopped in the 5th as soon as Klitschko hit the deck.

[Stuarty]

I've no problems at all with the stoppage.

[Boxerbeetle]

Stoppage was bang on. He looked pretty spent after the second knockdown, I'd have not argued if it was stopped then.

This. He handled the whole fight well.

If it had been IJL, T O'C or Phil Edwards it would have been stopped in the 5th as soon as Klitschko hit the deck.

Jesus, can you imagine IJL in charge of that fight. He'd be flapping around like crazy. God only knows when he would have jumped in prematurely.

[Tangerine]

My gut feeling at the time was it was stopped too early.Wladimir didnt complain though,he even near enough nodded to the ref in acceptance.

[Ricky_]

The ref did a good job but he shat the bed on the stoppage. Joshua was 1 big shot from finding a finish... but so was Wlad in rounds 5 & 6.

[TheRiverCityHippy]

When you've been knocked down twice in the round and find yourself backed up against the ropes with your opponent teeing off on you dont be surprised if the ref feels he has to make a decision.

[Steven_b96]

how can people say it was stopped to early 2 big knock downs in the 11th ref made the right decision got to think of the fighters health at the end of the day.

[Crease]

No, he was gassed, dazed & hurt.

[Ezzard]

I got the feeling that after round 6 the next man to touch down was finished. Wlad couldn't recover that late in the fight.

Scorecards were a bit of a shocker to be honest.

Wlad looked to be cruising...though Joshua was coming back into it.

[cold187]

HBO feel the stoppage was premature because

1. wlad wasn't getting caught on the ropes
2. given the magnitude of the fight, should have let it go on, as both fighters already proved can come back from knockdowns

if it did continue guaranteed rounds 12 wlad would have gone into it guns blazing

[rhino222]

i thought it was about 2 secs too early. wlad was not really getting caught much in that salvo.

[forcefraser]

i thought it was about 2 secs too early. wlad was not really getting caught much in that salvo.

Two fisted salvo ?

[KiwiRider]

Wlad was lucky he was allowed up after the second knockdown. He fell to the canvas, no breaking his fall. He was wobbling and dazed. Then AJ teed off on him. I'm glad it was stopped then, he had been given a chance and was not firing back. It only takes one big flush hit and we would have lost a true champion to the veggie patch. What a waste that would have been.

[KiwiRider]

If you still doubt the stoppage, look at the Compubox stats for round 11
Wlad did not land one punch, no jab, no powe shot, nothing.
http://photo.BS.com/uploads/jo ... mpubox.jpg

[handsofstone]

No way near the worst stoppage ive ever seen and at 1st I thought it was bang on but as soon as I seen the replay none of the punches I thought landed did land so I thought the ref could've waited, I don't like to see fighters get hurt but Wlad had enough wits about him to avoid getting hit, he might have made it to the end of the round despite being hurt??

Not too much complaints from Wlad though

[Counter-puncher]

i thought it was about 2 secs too early. wlad was not really getting caught much in that salvo.

Two fisted salvo ?

That's very Ronald McIntosh

[Tarkus]

Stoppage was little premature, Wlad did not take a single clean shot on the ropes in the last exchange. Nevertheless, the better man won on the night. And even though Wlad indicated he was not pleased with the stoppage he did not make a big deal out of it.

[coneye]

Personaly , i thought a stoppage on the second knockdown , would of been fair , Vlad was all over the place ,

[Verdi]

He was down twice and not defending himself properly. Good stoppage IMO.

[jameswilson]

It was nice to have a fight with no controversy at all. I thought the ref was spot on, I bet if we go back to the rbr there will be no mention of the ref at all. Exactly how we all want it.