What is the actual rule? After knockdown

Jersey Joe Walcott, as an inexperienced referee, blew that fight in about a half dozen ways. Not worth even talking about. It's an absolutely terrible example of a referee officiating a fight. Rule is supposed to be that the count doesn't start until until the referee sights the opponent / standing fighter in the neutral corner the referee nominated he stand in. The the ten count starts, and no, it isn't ten seconds...it's a ten count. Some referee's (Richard Steele for example) would get excited and sometimes count their ten count quickly. Others, like Steve Smoger, would taken their time with the ten count, and give the knocked down fighter every opportunity to get up and continue. However, as you've described, I've seen (in the US only), the referee instruct the opponent into the neutral corner and pick up the count from the timekeeper. To my mind, if my fighter didn't beat the ten count, I'd appeal the decision. Not much help of a response....but yeah, I have also noticed what you described.

opponent HAS to go to the neutral corner What about say Ali Liston II. Ali never really went to corner. Official kept counting and told the ref he had reached 10.

opponent HAS to go to the neutral corner