Refs should be cautious - but don't spoil a fighter's chance of glory
No boxer enjoys defeat.
The weeks of early morning runs, disciplined eating and carefully selected sparring sessions prepare them for one big night. As they begin their entrance to the ring whether in a small and unglamorous venue or under the bright TV lights and pulsating music, all their hopes are pinned on exiting a winner. And even if that means fighting to the bitter end and risking long term injury the battle hardened warrior is willing to put it all on the line.
However, the boxing archives reveal few pugilists who manage to escape their careers without having to experience the bitter taste of losing. Sometimes they just have to accept someone had that bit extra and take a setback on the chin while sportingly offering their hand of congratulations.
Sadly, there are occasions when the gloved gladiator has justification in feeling their fighting chance was taken away prematurely and unfairly.
Subsequently the spotlight is then firmly switched from the fighters to the referee. It is the third man in the ring who has the unenviable task of deciding when to call a halt on the night’s affairs. Unsurprisingly he can be in a seemingly no win position as his primary concern is to protect the boxers, a notion which is rapidly dismissed when his decision is deemed wrong in the immediate heat of battle.
Such was the case last month when Paul McCloskey’s WBA light-welterweight title challenge to Amir Khan was brought to an unsatisfactory conclusion. Although he had lost all the six scored rounds his promoter Barry Hearn was openly livid when referee Luis Pabon ended proceedings after an accidental clash opened a cut on the Irishman’s left eye.
The outrage was ignited when the referee called the ringside doctor to inspect without the round completed, an action that denied McCloskey’s corner the chance to work on it. As a result the fight was stopped and went to the judges' scorecards whose united scores of 60-54 handed Khan a technical decision.
On reflection you can understand Hearn’s outrage as far worse cuts have been seen and McCloskey wasn’t in any serious danger. In great contrast one could argue as Amir Khan did afterwards that McCloskey was on his way to a one side beating so why prolong his ordeal and why criticise the referee? But equally you can make a case that could have been McCloskey’s one and only shot at world glory and an untimely decision dashed his hopes.
You can be assured his promoters Matchroom are already skilfully directing him towards his second world title attempt yet despite their planning and careful selecting of opponents there are no guarantees.
A boxing referee also has the added pressure of a disgruntled audience all keen to loudly voice their disapproval as was the case during last Saturday’s WBO light-heavyweight contest between defending newly crowned champion Nathan Cleverly and Poland’s Alesky Kuziemski. While there were no great protests from the corner of challenger Kuziemski after referee Mark Nelson stopped the bout in round four the London O2 crowd vocally disagreed with his decision.
Kuziemski was bleeding from his left eye and nose after shipping Cleverly’s array of punches. But to his credit he hadn’t been floored and fought back to rock the champion in round three. An enthralling toe to toe contest was looming and despite the bout being for a world title the referee called time without even getting a second opinion from the ringside doctor.
While it is better to be safe than sorry and a referee does have an important duty to lean on the side of caution, world title fights demand the challenger be given every chance and unless cuts are massively impairing one’s vision the fight should go on.
Boxing is the toughest of sports and unfortunately some will get hurt but the first sight of blood shouldn’t prompt the referee’s intervention. After all this is the noble art that has its folklore written with blood, sweat and tears.
