Steve Smoger what a POS ref

Smoger is an excellent ref but even excellent refs have errors in judgement. With the caveat that I was rooting for Tapia-this fight couldve been stoppd earlier. If this was 2 seasoned vets I'd agree with posters who say let it go. But Tapia is a very young guy who clearly after round 4 was way in over his head. His corner was as well. The ref and the dr needed to save Tapia from those who were wishing and hoping for a Gatti like miracle.

Exactly. Kirkland is not getting enough heat for that final blow. Yeah, I haven't seen any threads and little mention of Kirkland's conduct at the stoppage. I watched the replay a couple times and it was clear that Smoger had stepped in to stop the fight but Kirkland just kept going. Kirkland's adrenaline level was obviously amped up but he should have restrained himself.

Smoger has been a great ref, he's slipping now though IMO. He was far away from the action alot in the Kirkland fight. I'm all for letting guys fight..letting them be punchbags though?

I'd take that stoppage over a Froch fiasco any day. The first line of conscience and common sense should be the corner. They're the ones that know the fighter and know his prospects best. OK, maybe two punches earlier, but those bombs were already on-route.

Smoger is a good ref but I think he should have stopped the fight the round before. Saying that, I also think the DR had a say in it because he gave Tapia the test and he passed. He wasn't concussed and seemed ok when they tested him for it. His corner should have stopped it, but what really pissed me off was the cheap shot by Kirkland at the end. Smoger was clearly in between them, and he still managed to get a shot off and even called him a b1tch...(read his lips) Kirkland is a true bad guy and I can't wait to see him knocked the fuk out again. I wish they would do a re-match with Angulo so he can be seriously punished. Exactly. Kirkland is not getting enough heat for that final blow.

Clearly the TS hasnt seen much of Smoger.

There should only be one referee and his name is Steve Smoger. Best in the business by far.

Smoger is a good ref but I think he should have stopped the fight the round before. Saying that, I also think the DR had a say in it because he gave Tapia the test and he passed. He wasn't concussed and seemed ok when they tested him for it. His corner should have stopped it, but what really pissed me off was the cheap shot by Kirkland at the end. Smoger was clearly in between them, and he still managed to get a shot off and even called him a b1tch...(read his lips) Kirkland is a true bad guy and I can't wait to see him knocked the fuk out again. I wish they would do a re-match with Angulo so he can be seriously punished. Kirkland would be a good pick for one of the big guns at 154 Imo. Easy bad guy image sell, has some momentum but in general just isn't that good. Dodgy defence and dodgy chin make him a good ko candidate aswell. Canelo would beat him up. As would Floyd, Lara, (new) Angulo, Molina etc

Smoger is a good ref but I think he should have stopped the fight the round before. Saying that, I also think the DR had a say in it because he gave Tapia the test and he passed. He wasn't concussed and seemed ok when they tested him for it. His corner should have stopped it, but what really pissed me off was the cheap shot by Kirkland at the end. Smoger was clearly in between them, and he still managed to get a shot off and even called him a b1tch...(read his lips) Kirkland is a true bad guy and I can't wait to see him knocked the fuk out again. I wish they would do a re-match with Angulo so he can be seriously punished.

He stopped it at the right time, the problem is HOW he stopped it. He gently touched Kirkland's shoulder like "Hey man, I think you should stop throwing punches now" so of course Kirkland got time to land one last big shot on a defenseless Tapia. The ref is supposed to jump in quickly and either grab the winning fighter and push him away, or get in front of the losing fighter to protect him. Hit the nail on the head mate. Stoppage time wasn't too bad, maybe could have been earlier but Tapia was showing heart and fighting back in spots, but he stopped it in a way which let Tapia take a huge shot for no reason. He needed to be much clearer.

I like Smoger for the most part, although I haven't seen all the recent fights he's reffed. His rep for letting the fighters get on with it has been exaggerated to the point where people act like he shows no concern for the well-being of the fighters at all. Bayless is probably the best ref around at the moment. He tends to hover too much at times and runs the risk of getting in the way, but he's also very decisive and clear with his instructions. He doesn't seem to have any interest in making himself a celebrity either. No catchphrases or unnecessary quips or comments. Just very professional.

He stopped it at the right time, the problem is HOW he stopped it. He gently touched Kirkland's shoulder like "Hey man, I think you should stop throwing punches now" so of course Kirkland got time to land one last big shot on a defenseless Tapia. The ref is supposed to jump in quickly and either grab the winning fighter and push him away, or get in front of the losing fighter to protect him.

didn't see the fight but imo smoger is a great ref

I saw Tapia had nothing left for a few rounds before the stoppage... they were hyping his shots but they had no mustard toward the end.. n the end before the stoppage, it was just a beatdown being glorified as a war by the announcing team. So yes, Smoger should have stopped the fight earlier, probably.

I love the way Smoger refs fights. How many times have we seen guys come back after being out on their feet or beaten up for a couple rounds? I bet you Groves would have wanted Smoger as a ref. Also didn't Tapia rock Kirkland in the Beginning of the 5th or was that a round before? Only gripe I have is he should have grabbed Kirkland instead of half stepping in like that.

fight should have been stopped sooner. he grabbed the man getting hit, and did nothing to protect him (prevent the guy doing the hitting from, ya know, hitting) and it lead to that final hit. he should have grabbed Kirkland. It was a performance I'd expect from Mccanty, not Smoger. After the Perez/Mago fight, you have to be very careful with these things. Tapia was getting pillar to posted.

Smoger is the best in the business. He gives fighters the benefit of the doubt. As a fighter with championship aspirations you go into that ring knowing the risks. It's not the refs job to protect you from yourself. A fighter knows that if you get hurt in this dangerous sport there is nobody to blame but yourself. If I was a fighter fighting for a championship or defending one there is no other ref I would rather have in the ring. Steve WILL give me that second chance to fight my way back. If I'm hurt or wobbling Smoger will give me the benefit of the doubt. A champion always wants it to end on his own terms whether that means picking yourself up off the canvas to win or going out on your shield. Good, luck. Hope you have a careing corner.

Steve Smoger is the best ref.

He's one of the best but lately he's been messing up.

Smoger is the best in the business. He gives fighters the benefit of the doubt. As a fighter with championship aspirations you go into that ring knowing the risks. It's not the refs job to protect you from yourself. A fighter knows that if you get hurt in this dangerous sport there is nobody to blame but yourself. If I was a fighter fighting for a championship or defending one there is no other ref I would rather have in the ring. Steve WILL give me that second chance to fight my way back. If I'm hurt or wobbling Smoger will give me the benefit of the doubt. A champion always wants it to end on his own terms whether that means picking yourself up off the canvas to win or going out on your shield.