Howard Foster

[milpool]

I think he did a good job. Telling the pair of them to fight as that is what they were being paid to do was something that I think most of us were thinking anyway.

[JLP]

If I remember rightly, the only time Foster spoke to Fury and his corner in an interval was between 11 and 12 -- "last round coming up" or words to that effect. Peter acknowledged him by saying "Thank you" and then got back to giving his excellent instructions to Tyson.

[Flump]

Very good ref and handled the fight well on Saturday I though, Fury wasn't stepping out when he called break. Foster, John Keane, Richie Davies and Victor Loughlan are all top refs IMO.

[stevieb_8006]

I have a right to an opinion as much as you have, as i said, different strokes for different folks. if u like the heavier handed method of reffing then thats fine. Made a point of saying its nothing personal.

Howard, i have just replied to your PM. (which is reassuring to receive i must admit, proving you genuinely care what the fans think) .

Please people, dont jump all over me simply cos Howards joined the thread, there were quite a few posters agreeing with me in Quixalls thread on the night.The lad who posts under "the truth" and another "dalcumly" off the top of my head so im not a lone voice. My pet hate is when users suck up to "industry" posters on here. The thread asked for opinions, i gave mine. Its not a crime. I have recieved a polite, mature PM from Howard and have replied accordingly.

Uh... As I spent last week arguing with all & sundry who were defending the actions of a certain cameraman of everyone's acquaintance, I don't think I "suck up" to anyone on here (apart from Lenny, natch. But he's Lenny FFS). So that's a straw man argument from the off.

I was however vehemently disagreeing with your take on the officiating in the fight, Steve. What would you like a ref to do when one fighter (the home fighter) is fouling & infringing the rules? If both are fvcking about I think a certain leeway is called for, but when only one guys doing it the ref's gotta take a stand imo. Do you think Fury would've stopped fouling if he didn't keep getting told off, then get a point taken off? D'you think he'd've kept doing the stupid wannabe-Klitschko lean down & sex-hold thing? 'Cos I do!

Riddle me this: in what way was the refereeing unfair? How could it have improved either the fair officiating of the fight or the fight as a spectacle? If he wasn't being strict (which is what I want from a ref, impartial, strict & attentive--like an ex-girlfriend I used to have!) Fury would've kept on elbowing & leaning in & mauling & yes might've stopped Johnson.

But it wouldn't have been fair mate. & also, it would've been a fvcking eyesore.

Apologies if my reaction to your opinion upsets you, I don't have anything against you personally, it just seems mega-wrong when a bloke gives the sort of performance that can make British officiating look professional & impartial & not completely bent to the rest of the world (with the Septics watching as well) & then not give him credit. We knock our officials when they fvck up--quite rightly.

Mr Foster didn't fvck up. He did a bang-up job. What exactly were the nature of your complaints? Are they rules based? Or aesthetic? Or what?

Not being funny at all, just can't really see what more you'd want from a ref than enforcing the rules clearly & not taking any shit from anyone.

not being rude but i just dont have the time to read all that at the mo. I didnt accuse u directly of sucking up, just pointed out that it does happen. The thread asked for opinions, I gave my opinion, it seems most disagree. fine, never said i was perfect. And tbh dont care enough about the fight or the boxers involved to get into a heated debate about it. Wish Foster nothing but the best, hes messaged me privately and is clearly complete gent. just think sometimes a word with the boxer is enough, u dont have to show it to the world all the time. not saying he wasnt right to warn fury, just dont like the manner in which some refs go about it. But its not like i want the guy hung drawn and quartered or anything.

[dondada]

Wish Foster nothing but the best, hes messaged me privately and is clearly complete gent.

Good comment and absolutely typical of the man

[JLP]

Wish Foster nothing but the best, hes messaged me privately and is clearly complete gent.

Good comment and absolutely typical of the man

The message read: "Right, just for a moment, imagine I'm 4 inches from your nose with my finger jabbing your chest. I'm screaming at the top of my lungs to ensure I grab the attention of everybody in the place, including that drunk knob at the back of the venue who's been gobbing off on his phone all night telling his mates he's at the boxing, rather than actually watching the boxing ... 'Say something nice about me on the forum or I'll deduct a point. Do you understand me?'"

[stevieb_8006]

Wish Foster nothing but the best, hes messaged me privately and is clearly complete gent.

Good comment and absolutely typical of the man

The message read: "Right, just for a moment, imagine I'm 4 inches from your nose with my finger jabbing your chest. I'm screaming at the top of my lungs to ensure I grab the attention of everybody in the place, including that drunk knob at the back of the venue who's been gobbing off on his phone all night telling his mates he's at the boxing, rather than actually watching the boxing ... 'Say something nice about me on the forum or I'll deduct a point. Do you understand me?'"

hacking into some1s PMs is against the law

[peter1948]

I think that Howard Foster is a top ref, I have spoken ringside with Howard many times and the man comes over as a no nonsense straight talking bloke who takes the time to talk to anyone.
I have said this before in defence of all refs, it takes a lot to get up in the ring and do their job and the bigger the contest the bigger the stress and worry not to cock up.
We all know that there is only one ref in the ring and hundreds of refs outside shouting their opinions, but actually having the bottle to get in there and do the job takes some doing, no ones perfect and some do cock up but like any other reffing job whether it be football, rugby or anything else all the decisions made are on the spot in a split second and to be able to do that takes some doing.
Well done Howard keep up your good work.

[The Enforcer]

Great Post Mate.Howard Always Approachable And Helpful And Top Bloke.

[taffytoon]

Great Post Mate.Howard Always Approachable And Helpful And Top Bloke.

Never seen him buy a round of drinks though.

[gasman]

Howard Foster is a very good referee.

[THEBUTCH]

I didn't rate Foster's performance at all. Fury made the running for almost the whole fight so to warn both, when it was Johnson who needed a rocket up his arse was a poor call and didn't help matters IMO.

[Howard Foster]

Great Post Mate.Howard Always Approachable And Helpful And Top Bloke.

Never seen him buy a round of drinks though.

Haha one day Martin mate

[jameswilson]

I didn't rate Foster's performance at all. Fury made the running for almost the whole fight so to warn both, when it was Johnson who needed a rocket up his arse was a poor call and didn't help matters IMO.

The round before, Fury went very passive, even at one point turning and walking away as if to say come and get me. No problem with seeing a fight out but I thought it was a bit much and justified just a quick word to say to the two of them pick it up.

For the record I had no idea Howard browsed or posted here so fair play for coming on here to take on answer some of the guys comments.

[stevieb_8006]

I didn't rate Foster's performance at all. Fury made the running for almost the whole fight so to warn both, when it was Johnson who needed a rocket up his arse was a poor call and didn't help matters IMO.

The round before, Fury went very passive, even at one point turning and walking away as if to say come and get me. No problem with seeing a fight out but I thought it was a bit much and justified just a quick word to say to the two of them pick it up.

For the record I had no idea Howard browsed or posted here so fair play for coming on here to take on answer some of the guys comments.

yeah I told him respect for coming on and discussing comments. Said hes happy to hear any criticism as just wants to become better at what he does or words to that effect. U cant say fairer than that really. Seems a really sound guy. I was of the same opinion as The Butch, I like a ref that is a bit more discreet/stays out the way, but its tit for tat really. As has been pointed out theres pros and cons for different styles. Certainly not an easy job, cos as it has already been said, your damned if you do and damned if you dont. Especially from smart ass know it alls like us on the net. lol

[peter1948]

I beg to differ with taffytoon regarding Howard never buying a round of drinks.
I bumped into him in Jersey a couple of years ago when he was handling the Clinton Woods contest & after the fight in the bar he bought me a beer, what beer? Fosters of course.

[taffytoon]

I beg to differ with taffytoon regarding Howard never buying a round of drinks.
I bumped into him in Jersey a couple of years ago when he was handling the Clinton Woods contest & after the fight in the bar he bought me a beer, what beer? Fosters of course.

My statement was " I have never seen him buy a round of drinks" as for the above, it must have been a FREE BAR

Howard dropped a pound coin once in Manchester and he bent down so quick to pick it up it hit him on the back of his head

[taffytoon]

Sorry my mistake it was a £2 coin

[dapug]

Howard is a very competent ref and a good judge. He does not have a high profile like some other ego maniacs.

[dapug]

Sorry my mistake it was a £2 coin

Funny you should talk about tightness I actually owe Howard £30 and he did bleet about it, but as I posted before he is a very very good ref.

[Howard Foster]

Sorry my mistake it was a £2 coin

Funny you should talk about tightness I actually owe Howard £30 and he did bleet about it, but as I posted before he is a very very good ref.

You owe me £30, if i find out who you are the bailiffs are coming round

[Howard Foster]

Have you got Robert Smiths permission to be on here Howard?

no mate

[palooka]

Have you got Robert Smiths permission to be on here Howard?

Why would he need it?

How's your lad getting on after the accident Howard? Hope he's pulled through and doing ok.

How do you rate Fury? Woul it be OK for you to say or not?

[Howard Foster]

Have you got Robert Smiths permission to be on here Howard?

Why would he need it?

How's your lad getting on after the accident Howard? Hope he's pulled through and doing ok.

How do you rate Fury? Woul it be OK for you to say or not?

Thanks for asking about my lad mate, he is doing great now thank you

[palooka]

Good, I'm glad he is

(Just told my wife I'd been 'talking to you' on the internet when we watched you on the telly in the Ryder bout! The wonders of the modern world).