Time to bring in the standing 8 count???

[Jeff Thomas]

There's been one or two questionable stoppages recently, and I was just wondering if anyone thought this might be an idea given the stress that refs are under- what with scoring a fight, ensuring its kept clean etc etc....

The standing 8 might just give refs a bit of leeway if they are close to stopping a fight but can't make their minds up?

Thoughts?

[kells]

at first i was guna say no but wen i think off what u said i can see that being a gud thing. only thing is would it then b a 10 8 round?? i ask as i know its better losing a round than a fight but some stoppages hav been that bad gettin a 10 8 round wen u dont deserve to get the 8 count could be the thing that loses u the fight if it gets to points and u get a loss anyway

[Jeff Thomas]

I'm thinking last resort standing 8's like once every 20 fights... see Tony Bellew Vs Ovill Mckenzie 1 for an example.

[kamicazze]

I think something has to be done. Possibly a very good idea. Another example is the Fury vs Firtha fight and Calzaghe vs Manfredo. Seemed to get stopped premature. But at the same time it takes away some of the excitement in the pro game. For instance round 10 in Khan vs Maidana where Khan showed grit in order to whether a storm, a standing 8 would have been issued and all the excitement wouldnt be there. Or do you mean a standing 8 is issued only when it comes to the point where they would stop the fight for a tko

[LeedsLad]

Not for me, just get some better refs.

Ours are absolute turd, and an embarrassment to the sport.

[maninthemiddle]

Not sure what would "trigger" a standing eight. What is the guideline in the ams?? They seem to issue one as soon as one heavy blow is landed irrespective of the effect it has had.

My initial thoughts are against it. If a guy is under heavy pressure and the action is stopped it takes away a significant advantage from the guy who is dishing out the punches! It could also prolong the punishment...how many standing eights would be allowed... I don't think it would be appreciated by the general public either.

Your right it would in some circumstances give the ref time to assess the condition of a fighter. Sometimes contentious stoppages are when a ref decides that a further blow could be very damaging so he terminates the bout, when in fact on occasions the fighter can recover within seconds.

Not for me though.

[Jeff Thomas]

Not sure what would "trigger" a standing eight. What is the guideline in the ams?? They seem to issue one as soon as one heavy blow is landed irrespective of the effect it has had.

My initial thoughts are against it. If a guy is under heavy pressure and the action is stopped it takes away a significant advantage from the guy who is dishing out the punches! It could also prolong the punishment...how many standing eights would be allowed... I don't think it would be appreciated by the general public either.

Your right it would in some circumstances give the ref time to assess the condition of a fighter. Sometimes contentious stoppages are when a ref decides that a further blow could be very damaging so he terminates the bout, when in fact on occasions the fighter can recover within seconds.

Not for me though.

Just think it would give our refs that extra few seconds to make the judgement. For me they do a pretty great job- its tough on them in there with so much to think about and errors are going to be made. I think the standing 8 could be used at a point where a fight might be stopped prematurely like the bellew mckenzie fight.

[forcefraser]

It`s the inconsistency that gets me. Ian John Lewis letting Briggs take a massive beating v Vitali and then stopping a domestic fight after a few blows.

Imagine one of our refs in the Ward v Gatti fights? They would have stopped each one a dozen times.

[Giancarlo]

Not for me.

[sy86]

I think they are used a little bit too much in the Ams. I know its for the boxers health, but they can be used at the wrong times.

Atleast a knock down is a clear indication for a count (most of the time).

The Khan Maidana fight would have been stopped if it was Maidana taking those shots and held in the UK.

[Lenny]

Why not just stress to fighters that they can take a knee, it rarely happens these days but is a vital way of gaining extra time. If a guy is stuck in the corner, getting flurried and is not replying then the ref can jump in, Howard Foster also had the right to stop the Pole a few weeks back as the guy wasn't doing anything. He may have been working on a La Motta performance but how is Howard to know this?

Fighters think a 10-8 round is a disaster, and it is in a four rounder, but in a title fight it could be the difference between living to fight another session and the ref jumpin in.

If Jermain Taylor had taken a knee he'd have survived Froch's final onslaught.

Yep, take the knee, give yourself 15 seconds or so, don't risk the ref jumping in when you are taking shots and not answering back. It's only a point.

With early stoppages quite common in this country you'd think more fighters would be using it as a way to stay in the fight

[James The Great]

8 count rule sounds ok, if the ref is conflicted on what to do, as a journeymen id rather have a 8 count then get stopped any day. though most smart boxers just take knee.

[taffytoon]

Not for me, just get some better refs.

Ours are absolute turd, and an embarrassment to the sport.

So this relates to all UK refs then yes?

[SAPFO]

What happened to fighting until one man goes down? If your on your feet, your okay to continue, simple and effective!