BoxRec

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.