Hall Of Shame Referee Screw Ups
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'Big' Terry O'Connor.
A couple of weeks back he appeared on a Food Network downgraded ripoff of 'MasterChef' called 'Microwave Technician: Celebrity Edition'. He gave his culinary specialty as 'home town cooking'.
I found his honesty a little startling if not altogether unexpected. My first encounter of Terry's work was when he played 'Bungle' in the 1980's children's TV classic 'Rainbow'. But it's one of his more resent shifts that spring to mind whenever this question is raised.
His handling of Cleverly Kovalev, or rather his literal handling of Nathan Cleverly when he near carried him back to his stool at the end of the third round (OK, it was more of an ushering but memory makes these events bigger) is for me indicative of a lot of the decisions that we see on a regular basis that unashamedly favour the home fighter.
Krusher had already handed Cleverly his arse, so to speak, when 'Our Tezza' decided enough was enough and stepped between the two fighters with arms a' waving. The bell rang. Then Terry got duplicitous.
"Mmm, that bell was borderline, and he's British", mused the big man. So he ushers Clevs back to his corner like a paramedic ushering a drunk into the safety of an awaiting ambulance then informs the ringside judges that they bloody well have not just seen him do what he's just done. He hasn't stopped the fight, he was shooing flys for fear of them impeding the action.
As it happened Cleverly was in no state to take advantage of O'Connor's generosity and the fight was waved off in the forth. A little ingratitude on the part of the Welshman? Perhaps. His fellow countryman certainly never behaved in such a manner. Calzaghe always knew that Terry was ever eager to be back on his couch, watching re-runs of 'Ally McBeal' with a TV dinner. Glancing blows and near misses were always good for a stoppage.Comment
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Mills Lane also tarnished his reputation as a stand up, no bull**** kind of guy when he crumbled under the weight of a Tyson Holyfield. Deciding that biting off an ear was a trifling matter worthy of a meer points deduction.Comment
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Veteran ref Ruby Goldstein working the Peret vs Griffith World Welter Title Bout in the Garden.
Most feel Goldstein waited far to long to stop the action as Peret was being
pumbled and over whelmed in the corner. He died days later after surgery failed to relief pressure on his brain.
He was extremely active prior to the title bout and was an action fighter throughout his career more than willing to trade.
That being said millions watched this fight on TV and that tradegy had a tremendous impact on the sport.
RayComment
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I agree Nady didn't handle the situation well. I think the problem was that Judah jumped up after getting hit and couldn't get his balance and fell back down. Zab looked out of it so Nady stopped the fight and helped Zab stand up. By that time Zab was ok so it looked like Nady didn't give him a count.Comment
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I agree Nady didn't handle the situation well. I think the problem was that Judah jumped up after getting hit and couldn't get his balance and fell back down. Zab looked out of it so Nady stopped the fight and helped Zab stand up. By that time Zab was ok so it looked like Nady didn't give him a count.Comment
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A lot of the moments I wanted to post have already been posted, so I'll do one which sould have caused much more furore, Steve Smoger's blatant favouritism and unprofessional behaviour throughout Hopkins/Murat fight, at one stage, he actually shoves his hand onto Murat's face and pushes him away. De****able and an absolute disgrace from a once well regarded referee.Comment
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Isn't there a rule that a fighter who is knocked down, tries to get up and hits the ground gaain is ruled as an automatic KO? I seem to remember this happening to Judah but I'm a bit flaky on the issue.Comment
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