Do we underestimate the importance of a competent ref in fights?

[PainfromUkraine]

As the title says - do we as fans sometimes neglect the importance and impact that a competent or incompetent ref can make on a fight? You can take into account lots of things...how proactive they are in breaking up clinching, how vocal and firm they are to boxers and giving out warnings, seeing when to stop a fight at the right time...letting someone continue...etc etc etc.

Tell the truth - do YOU really think about who will ref a bout, prior to the night? Let's take an example - Eddie Cotton, he was excellent in the Wlad-Leapai fight in terms of breaking up any prolonged clinching, holding or leaning. This forced Wlad to fight aggressively, and if this was always the case i'm sure a lot of fans would be enjoying heavyweight title fights much more. Or in various fights where there's been early stoppages, i.e Froch-Groves, where we were robbed of a real conclusive ending.

So, vote in the poll and discuss the question!

[PainfromUkraine]

bump

[Ivansmamma]

Yeah a different ref in wlad vs. povetkin and garcia vs. matthysse might have changed how the fight played out. Also look at Hattons fights, comparing Hatton vs. Tszyu and Hatton vs. Mayweather, totally different standards to what hatton was allowed to do on the inside. Ref is a big factor.

[PainfromUkraine]

Yeah a different ref in wlad vs. povetkin and garcia vs. matthysse might have changed how the fight played out. Also look at Hattons fights, comparing Hatton vs. Tszyu and Hatton vs. Mayweather, totally different standards to what hatton was allowed to do on the inside. Ref is a big factor.

Eddie Cotton is actually a great ref as an example to be put in Wlad fights. Against Leapai he broke up the clinching, and against Wach he was in there too. These are two of Wlad's more exciting and action fights recently.

Definitely refs are an underrated aspect of ensuring a good fight, especially at heavyweight in terms of avoiding excessive clinching.

[Ivansmamma]

Eddie Cotton is actually a great ref as an example to be put in Wlad fights. Against Leapai he broke up the clinching, and against Wach he was in there too. These are two of Wlad's more exciting and action fights recently.

Definitely refs are an underrated aspect of ensuring a good fight, especially at heavyweight in terms of avoiding excessive clinching.

I didn't even watch the lepai fight after what i had to sit through in the povetkin fight but i heard it was an ok fight...

[Da Machine]

Yes of course. Specifically with how lenient someone is on clinching fights can be completely altered.

Garcia vs Lucas would have probably been much different if a competent ref called the low blows earliers, or the knockdown when Garcia pulle his head down and hit him between the ropes.

Molina vs Kirkland wouldn't have looked the way it did.

Alexander vs Maidana.

Ward vs Kessler.

[PainfromUkraine]

Yes of course. Specifically with how lenient someone is on clinching fights can be completely altered.

Garcia vs Lucas would have probably been much different if a competent ref called the low blows earliers, or the knockdown when Garcia pulle his head down and hit him between the ropes.

Molina vs Kirkland wouldn't have looked the way it did.

Alexander vs Maidana.

Ward vs Kessler.

Yeah, there's definitely a long list of fights that could have been improved with a better ref. Just seems like it's not really an issue that's highlighted often before fights.

[New England]

with the proper styles, and under rare circumstances, they can change or have a profound effect toward changing the outcome of a fight.


clinching is the big one, IMO. there is so much grey area.

[bojangles1987]

I don't think the ref in the Wlad/Leapai fight had any effect. Wlad clinched about six times in the first round when Leapai was actually moving his head and jabbing in, but then Leapai stopped and Wlad had no reason to clinch.

That being said, the ref can make all the difference in the world, and people need to realize this. Agbeko probably beats Mares the first time if not for one of the worst/most corrupt refereeing jobs you'll ever see.

[Awesome-O]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BgDjV0CFUQ