Abysmal officiating

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 28 Nov 2006, 09:07

Didn't realise there was thread going on this, should have known from the title!

I thought the stoppage was a little premature, but regardless of how many punches each boxer had absorbed previously, what I would say is that the right hand that Hughes took (which pretty much prompted the intervention) rolled his head right back badly and you have to be careful of these instances especially in an 8x3's that had been a total war. I saw Neil Jarmolinski's final fight and it wasn't as punishing as this one.

No hidden agenda here from the referee as far as I'm concerned, just looked like he had seen enough at that point. Questionable, yes, but Hughes is healthy and well and that's paramount.

What pissed me right off was having to listen to Johnny Nelson prattling on about how he doesn't like to see stoppages like this

I don't recall him moaning about Carl Thompson getting shafted against him a few years back. This was no 8x3's either, Thompson's world title was on the line. A fornicating joke!

Anyway, despite the outcry Corcoran-Hughes was an absolute belter. What worries me most is has Corcoran learned a lesson from the Johannson fight ?!

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 28 Nov 2006, 09:12

Agree with you Butch - though I didn't catch the whole fight, that final punch looked pretty brutal, and another one like that knocking his head back could've been nasty.

And I don't like Nelson as a commentator too much - he's a bit of a Sky yes man.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 28 Nov 2006, 09:18

Nelson looks the part but just fills up time with hot air. Thought I'd never have to see him again knowing his retirement was around the corner, then bugger me, he gets a job with Sky

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Nov 2006, 09:39

Nelson has surprised me with some of his picks. He has said that he thinks Nuumbembe will outclass Anderson..... but in turn, predicted Olusegen (who he obviously rates) would beat Ali.

I wonder who he would pick in a fght between Olusugen and Witter.

I do think he is a good talker (cannot help thinking he is very contradictory on his own career) but some of his picks have been strange, but nice to have a different side to the norm.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 28 Nov 2006, 11:23

MightyWarrior wrote:Agree with you Butch - though I didn't catch the whole fight, that final punch looked pretty brutal, and another one like that knocking his head back could've been nasty.

And I don't like Nelson as a commentator too much - he's a bit of a Sky yes man.

If the punch was so brutal, how come Hughes had the wits about him, to evade 4 of the next 5 punches?

It's not like the referee didn't see this either, Hughes was on the ropes defending himself well at the time it was stopped.

The referee either was protecting the house fighter or overreacted, it's one of the two. Of course, anyone can have a bad night, and it's easy for me to sit in judgement when I don't have to make these kind of decisions myself, but that's what these guys get paid for, for making consistent decisions.

Corcoran's head was snapped back on his neck countless times in the prior round and throughout the fight, were those not dangerous shots to be taking?

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 28 Nov 2006, 12:01

It's down to interpretation. I do think it was a bit premature, but the referee is the one who has to live with the decision.

I think he deserves a bit of slack. Can't you reach into your heart?

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 28 Nov 2006, 12:27

jamesmcdonnell wrote: If the punch was so brutal, how come Hughes had the wits about him, to evade 4 of the next 5 punches?

It's not like the referee didn't see this either, Hughes was on the ropes defending himself well at the time it was stopped.

The referee either was protecting the house fighter or overreacted, it's one of the two. Of course, anyone can have a bad night, and it's easy for me to sit in judgement when I don't have to make these kind of decisions myself, but that's what these guys get paid for, for making consistent decisions.

Corcoran's head was snapped back on his neck countless times in the prior round and throughout the fight, were those not dangerous shots to be taking?

Well I only saw the 1st and last rounds, so can understand it looking a bit suspect if Corcoran was having his head snapped back earlier.

Usualy when you see that type of reaction - it's a tired fighter on his last legs - so I was willing to give the ref the benefit of the doubt - I was surprised by Darke's amazement at the time.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 28 Nov 2006, 12:32

Had you seen the intervening rounds you would not have felt the same way I think.

Hughes looked like he could ride the storm, and once he did, I think it would have been corcoran on the end of a hiding, because he didn't look like he had a great deal left.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 29 Nov 2006, 08:11

See that's not how I saw it, and most importantly nor did the referee. Hughes had taken a pile driving right had, was under pressure and I think Billy had enough left to keep that up. I do think Hughes deserved a second or two more, but can't moan at the referee that much seeing as it's him who has to make these split second judgements.

It had been a real see-saw battle and maybe you're right, the next second Hughes could have spun off the ropes and start attacking Billy again.

Your argument about the 7th round (and other occasions) does hold up and he might have been close to pulling Billy out. It's just the way the cookie crumbles some times and I can sympathise with Hughes, but I've seen far worse stoppages.