Holding back punches

[Ben Bolt]

Sportsmanship in boxing, not throwing that last, unnecessary punch …

The first time I witnessed this in a live fight, was Ken Norton vs Randy Stephens.
After that, I became a Norton fan. Norton proved to be responsible and mature.
boxrec: When the bout was over, Stephens' manager thanked Norton for letting up on his boxer.

Larry Holmes also ‘proved human’ in the fights against Marvis Frazier and Ali, turning to the ref to halt a pointless slaughter.

Any other suggestions?

[Willie Pep 229]

In their first meeting Ike William's caught a very hurt Beau Jack in the corner and was pounding on him - Jack wouldn't go down but he wasn't competive - Williams turned to the ref an emplored him to stop the fight - the ref ordered him to continue and only after several more unnecessary punches finally stopped the fight.

I wonder if a fighter today caught in William's situation would challenge the ref and refuse to continue fighting.

[markusmod]

In their first meeting Ike William's caught a very hurt Beau Jack in the corner and was pounding on him - Jack wouldn't go down but he wasn't competive - Williams turned to the ref an emplored him to stop the fight - the ref ordered him to continue and only after several more unnecessary punches finally stopped the fight.

I wonder if a fighter today caught in William's situation would challenge the ref and refuse to continue fighting.

I remember a Roy Jones fight on HBO where he was pulling punches and asking the ref to stop the fight, before unloading bombs to get the TKO

[Ben Bolt]

In their first meeting Ike William's caught a very hurt Beau Jack in the corner and was pounding on him - Jack wouldn't go down but he wasn't competive - Williams turned to the ref an emplored him to stop the fight - the ref ordered him to continue and only after several more unnecessary punches finally stopped the fight.

I wonder if a fighter today caught in William's situation would challenge the ref and refuse to continue fighting.

Williams entered the ring 93-10-4, Jack 73-12-4 (boxrec).
You could think, seasoned guys like that had deserved some longer breaks between fights,
but Williams had ten bouts in 1948, Jack nine.
Trying times.
“The difference between a strong man and a weak one is that the former does not give up after a defeat.” — Woodrow Wilson.

[BattlingNelson]

Sportsmanship in boxing, not throwing that last, unnecessary punch …

The first time I witnessed this in a live fight, was Ken Norton vs Randy Stephens.
After that, I became a Norton fan. Norton proved to be responsible and mature.
boxrec: When the bout was over, Stephens' manager thanked Norton for letting up on his boxer.

Larry Holmes also ‘proved human’ in the fights against Marvis Frazier and Ali, turning to the ref to halt a pointless slaughter.

Any other suggestions?

Holmes clearly motioned for the ref to step in vs Frazier, but I’m not buying that Holmes held back against Ali at all. The way I saw it Holmes did everything he could to knock Ali down and out IMO. I don’t give 2c for Holmes playing compassionate in the dressing room to a Reg Gutteridge almost in tears.

[Ben Bolt]

Holmes clearly motioned for the ref to step in vs Frazier, but I’m not buying that Holmes held back against Ali at all.

Well, maybe you’re right.
Holmes said, several years after the fight, that he “slapped punches and threw open-handed punches” in later rounds when he realized Ali was no threat to him.

Ali, everyone’s favorite, had turned into a punching bag. It was a no-win situation for Holmes, and difficult to handle.

[GhostofDempsey]

Ray Robinson told the story of an up and coming fighter whose manager asked if he would give a shot to and agree to carry the distance. Ray agreed. This guy decided he would try to make a name for himself and went in there throwing haymakers trying to knock Ray out. Ray just threw his hands up and tilted his head as if to say, “ok, I tried to be nice” then quickly ended the fight with a combination. Lights out.

[The Old LefHook]

Sunken chest Holmes was quite overrated, and it still continues today.

[Ben Bolt]

Ray Robinson told the story of an up and coming fighter whose manager asked if he would give a shot to and agree to carry the distance. Ray agreed. This guy decided he would try to make a name for himself and went in there throwing haymakers trying to knock Ray out. Ray just threw his hands up and tilted his head as if to say, “ok, I tried to be nice” then quickly ended the fight with a combination. Lights out.

Reminds of Jack Johnson v Stanley Ketchel, though some argue that it never was an exhibition agreement, but a genuine fight.
Who knows?