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Nate Campbell's infomercial
Section 339 of California's boxing rules provides as follows:
"If the referee and/or the ringside physician determine that the bout may not continue because of an injury suffered as the result of an unintentional foul or because of an injury inflicted by an unintentional foul which later becomes aggravated by fair blows, the bout must be declared a draw if the bout is stopped before the bell rings to begin the fourth round. After the bell rings to begin the fourth round, the outcome shall be determined by scoring the completed rounds and the round during which the referee or ringside physician stopped the bout."
(emphasis added).
I see nothing in the rule about lobbying for a stoppage, which is precisely what the overmatched Nate Campbell did tonight.
There is no question that Campbell clashed heads with Timothy Bradley in the third round, which is also known as an "unintentional foul." To say that a punch caused the cut, as the referee did, is simply evidence of nothing more than failure to be focused on the task at hand--officiating a world championship fight. As Harold Lederman would say, however, "be as it may."
During the third round, Campbell rejected the "protect yourself at all times" concept and decided that mid-round conversations with the referee were more appropriate. In short, Campbell began to sell a technical draw before the bell to end the third round. He went back to his corner and demanded that the fight be stopped.
The one thing that drives me absolutely crazy is a fighter who quits. Yes, it is understood that the ringside physician bought Campbell's snake oil; however, Campbell sold the stoppage with more flair than a Ron Popeil late night infomercial. I am not saying that fighters should not be protected from injury. I am saying that Joe Frazier wouldn't have quit, Miguel Cotto wouldn't have quit. Manny Pacquiao is in Campbell's division, would he have quit? How about Ricky Hatton or the late Arturo Gatti? The answer is an emphatic no on all accounts. In fact, the doctor tonight wouldn't have stopped the fight without Campbell demanding it.
During his pre-fight interview, Campbell suggested that the boxing community marginalized him. The better answer is that he marginalized himself. Somehow the WBO declared him to be the number 1 contender for no other reason than failing to make weight against Ali Funeka. He showed up tonight looking a bit out of shape and unable to deal with a world champion. The post-"fight" circus, with Don King at his side (go figure), was pathetic. Nate, you're 37 years old and you just robbed Showtime out of some precious dough and took from me the time I had dedicated to watch Popeil peddle some sort of juicer. Good for you, now go away.
Perhaps Bradley said it best by saying "he was going to lose anyway." Timothy, I agree with you and hope that the California Athletic Commission defers to the referee who declared that the cut was caused by a punch, which it wasn't (shhhhh!).
http://www.examiner.com/x-8370-Boxin...ls-infomercial
Section 339 of California's boxing rules provides as follows:
"If the referee and/or the ringside physician determine that the bout may not continue because of an injury suffered as the result of an unintentional foul or because of an injury inflicted by an unintentional foul which later becomes aggravated by fair blows, the bout must be declared a draw if the bout is stopped before the bell rings to begin the fourth round. After the bell rings to begin the fourth round, the outcome shall be determined by scoring the completed rounds and the round during which the referee or ringside physician stopped the bout."
(emphasis added).
I see nothing in the rule about lobbying for a stoppage, which is precisely what the overmatched Nate Campbell did tonight.
There is no question that Campbell clashed heads with Timothy Bradley in the third round, which is also known as an "unintentional foul." To say that a punch caused the cut, as the referee did, is simply evidence of nothing more than failure to be focused on the task at hand--officiating a world championship fight. As Harold Lederman would say, however, "be as it may."
During the third round, Campbell rejected the "protect yourself at all times" concept and decided that mid-round conversations with the referee were more appropriate. In short, Campbell began to sell a technical draw before the bell to end the third round. He went back to his corner and demanded that the fight be stopped.
The one thing that drives me absolutely crazy is a fighter who quits. Yes, it is understood that the ringside physician bought Campbell's snake oil; however, Campbell sold the stoppage with more flair than a Ron Popeil late night infomercial. I am not saying that fighters should not be protected from injury. I am saying that Joe Frazier wouldn't have quit, Miguel Cotto wouldn't have quit. Manny Pacquiao is in Campbell's division, would he have quit? How about Ricky Hatton or the late Arturo Gatti? The answer is an emphatic no on all accounts. In fact, the doctor tonight wouldn't have stopped the fight without Campbell demanding it.
During his pre-fight interview, Campbell suggested that the boxing community marginalized him. The better answer is that he marginalized himself. Somehow the WBO declared him to be the number 1 contender for no other reason than failing to make weight against Ali Funeka. He showed up tonight looking a bit out of shape and unable to deal with a world champion. The post-"fight" circus, with Don King at his side (go figure), was pathetic. Nate, you're 37 years old and you just robbed Showtime out of some precious dough and took from me the time I had dedicated to watch Popeil peddle some sort of juicer. Good for you, now go away.
Perhaps Bradley said it best by saying "he was going to lose anyway." Timothy, I agree with you and hope that the California Athletic Commission defers to the referee who declared that the cut was caused by a punch, which it wasn't (shhhhh!).
http://www.examiner.com/x-8370-Boxin...ls-infomercial
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