Walk here by the refs

[Old bones Ian]

When did refs start using the"Walk here" or "Walk to the left" BS after the 8 count?
Ref just count to 8 and get on with the fight, it's like a long count now with all the instructions, and it's just buying seconds for you the ref to not make a decision.
Anyway that's my toys out the pram.

[joshj909]

It's the 'referee gait test' in the ABC manual for referees. It's to recognise concussion and prioritise boxer safety in case they appear more conscious than they actually are. Not sure when it got introduced though.

[gregregegg]

I do think there needs to be some standardisation though. Like it’s a bit unfair that people get extra time.

I guess the answer is 10-15 every time you make someone do it, even on a flash knockdown. Kinda makes it a 15 count but eh. You can’t have so much room for variation.

[gilgamesh]

I've also seen moments where a guy clearly took a shaky first step when asked to, and was allowed to continue anyway. That's pretty much what happened recently with Andy Ruiz and Damian Knyba, at the end of that 7th round Ruiz was about as out on his feet as it gets for a few moments there.

[Ruthless-RKO]

There’s also plenty of times where the refs asked boxers to walk towards them and then stopped it because they have stumbled.

Obv, a-side boxers get special treatment.

They could be crawling towards the ref and they’ll continue the fight.

[Controversial]

I reckon maybe last 20-30 years this became a thing for some refs to do. Hard to make standard practice as all fighters react or look different when hurt and each ref will have a different view on what they see in front of them at that time.

[overhand_right]

Seems to be a device employed to give strategic long counts to A Sides in peril. That's the pattern I've noticed.

Would be interesting to trace its evolution. You don't see it in 90s boxing.

[TheLeprechaun]

Seems to be a device employed to give strategic long counts to A Sides in peril. That's the pattern I've noticed.

Would be interesting to trace its evolution. You don't see it in 90s boxing.

Exactly and it's used the opposite way too, not giving the B side any time. Look at Meldrick Taylor vs Chavez.

[Boxerbeetle]

Seems to be a device employed to give strategic long counts to A Sides in peril. That's the pattern I've noticed.

Course it is. Standard process when the A side goes down is:

- ref picks up count late and extremely slowly
- when fighter staggers up, ref asks him to put his gloves up, then makes him walk around for a bit, then talks to him for a while
- ref then goes to the neutral corner to warn the B side to stay back, even if he was already doing so
- ref goes back to the A side and makes him confirm again that he’s ready to fight, then gives the go-ahead even if he gets a poor response

And the standard process when the B side goes down is:
- count to 5 and then wave it off regardless

Obviously I exaggerate for comic effect, but it’s the basic pattern for sure.

[overhand_right]

Seems to be a device employed to give strategic long counts to A Sides in peril. That's the pattern I've noticed.

Course it is. Standard process when the A side goes down is:

- ref picks up count late and extremely slowly
- when fighter staggers up, ref asks him to put his gloves up, then makes him walk around for a bit, then talks to him for a while
- ref then goes to the neutral corner to warn the B side to stay back, even if he was already doing so
- ref goes back to the A side and makes him confirm again that he’s ready to fight, then gives the go-ahead even if he gets a poor response

And the standard process when the B side goes down is:
- count to 5 and then wave it off regardless

Obviously I exaggerate for comic effect, but it’s the basic pattern for sure.

No that's basically it. Only note from me is that the B Side doesn't even need to go down to be stopped.

[MPW]

Seems to be a device employed to give strategic long counts to A Sides in peril. That's the pattern I've noticed.

Course it is. Standard process when the A side goes down is:

- ref picks up count late and extremely slowly
- when fighter staggers up, ref asks him to put his gloves up, then makes him walk around for a bit, then talks to him for a while
- ref then goes to the neutral corner to warn the B side to stay back, even if he was already doing so
- ref goes back to the A side and makes him confirm again that he’s ready to fight, then gives the go-ahead even if he gets a poor response

And the standard process when the B side goes down is:
- count to 5 and then wave it off regardless

Obviously I exaggerate for comic effect, but it’s the basic pattern for sure.

No that's basically it. Only note from me is that the B Side doesn't even need to go down to be stopped.

You may have been exaggerating for comic effect, but, unfortunately, we've all seen scenarios that played out quite close to the ones outlined, including the B side still throwing the odd-out punch when fight's waved off.

[JamesPhilips]

Any experienced ref can see whether a fighter is ready to carry on with these walk here BS.

And they just need to keep a close watch when the action resumes.

[coneye]

Sat on the fence , with this one , if it safes a fighter from that one punch to many , i'm all for it , if its used to give the hme boy extra time , i'm against it , but its the sort of thing that is here to stay ,

Remember when they cut rnds down from 15 to 12 , a lot were against it , don't think you would find too many now a days against it though

[Finkel]

Course it is. Standard process when the A side goes down is:

- ref picks up count late and extremely slowly
- when fighter staggers up, ref asks him to put his gloves up, then makes him walk around for a bit, then talks to him for a while
- ref then goes to the neutral corner to warn the B side to stay back, even if he was already doing so
- ref goes back to the A side and makes him confirm again that he’s ready to fight, then gives the go-ahead even if he gets a poor response

And the standard process when the B side goes down is:
- count to 5 and then wave it off regardless

Obviously I exaggerate for comic effect, but it’s the basic pattern for sure.

No that's basically it. Only note from me is that the B Side doesn't even need to go down to be stopped.

You may have been exaggerating for comic effect, but, unfortunately, we've all seen scenarios that played out quite close to the ones outlined, including the B side still throwing the odd-out punch when fight's waved off.

A particular favourite of mine is when the B-side fighter is looking highly likely to beat the count. But must be stopped!

So in response the referee launches at him with a bear hug, knocking him off balance while waving and shaking his head rather than actually finishing the count. Often to the incredulity of the B-side guy who is likely ahead in said fight.

Extra points if the round has already ended!
Bonus points if a title is on the line!

My favourite example of this was Wilder v Ortiz II. They really didn't want that old man derailing Wilder v Fury II.

[Old bones Ian]

Sat on the fence , with this one , if it safes a fighter from that one punch to many , i'm all for it , if its used to give the hme boy extra time , i'm against it , but its the sort of thing that is here to stay ,

Remember when they cut rnds down from 15 to 12 , a lot were against it , don't think you would find too many now a days against it though

Does it save a boxer from one punch too many?
Take the recent Andy Ruiz fight , he suffered a heavy knockdown he got a 8 count , for me he looked gone at this point and I'd have no argument if the fight was stopped. The ref then did the gloves, the "Walk this way" bit , talked again to Ruiz . In all giving him 15-16 seconds from the knockdown in those extra seconds Ruiz kind of cleared his head a little so the ref let it continue.
Ruiz then took an extra 2 rounds of punches before losing on points, so by the ref giving Ruiz too much grace with all the post count instructions he extended the damage accumulated by Ruiz.

[coneye]

Sat on the fence , with this one , if it safes a fighter from that one punch to many , i'm all for it , if its used to give the hme boy extra time , i'm against it , but its the sort of thing that is here to stay ,

Remember when they cut rnds down from 15 to 12 , a lot were against it , don't think you would find too many now a days against it though

Does it save a boxer from one punch too many?
Take the recent Andy Ruiz fight , he suffered a heavy knockdown he got a 8 count , for me he looked gone at this point and I'd have no argument if the fight was stopped. The ref then did the gloves, the "Walk this way" bit , talked again to Ruiz . In all giving him 15-16 seconds from the knockdown in those extra seconds Ruiz kind of cleared his head a little so the ref let it continue.
Ruiz then took an extra 2 rounds of punches before losing on points, so by the ref giving Ruiz too much grace with all the post count instructions he extended the damage accumulated by Ruiz.

Like i said , i;m sat on the fence on this one , If it relied on me to make the discision wether or not this should be allowed , , , don't think i could, i'd change my mind daily