Tweet
by David P. Greisman - “No mas.”
Cuts will heal. Bruises will fade away. Criticism can last long after all physical wounds have disappeared.
Roberto Duran, with his 103 wins, championships in two weight classes and world titles in two other divisions, is a man enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame whose name still carries alongside it a decision, made nearly 30 years back, not to continue fighting after eight rounds of his rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard.
“Quitter.”
Nate Campbell left the ring Aug. 1 with the bitter aftertaste of defeat. He had been cut above his left eye by a head butt, and, even worse, was bleeding within his eye from that same clash of heads with Timothy Bradley. Campbell was half blind.
The referee had ruled his wounds the result of a punch. It was the wrong ruling. When a fight stops within four rounds due to an injury caused by an accidental head butt, the bout is ruled a “No decision.”
Instead, Campbell was handed a three-round technical-knockout loss he knew was unjust. Piled onto that were accusations that he quit, that he took the easy way out, accusations that are undeserving.
Campbell is fighting the referee’s ruling and the loss, appealing to the California State Athletic Commission. A hearing has been set for Aug. 24. [details]
Cuts will heal. Bruises will fade away. Criticism can last long after all physical wounds have disappeared.
Roberto Duran, with his 103 wins, championships in two weight classes and world titles in two other divisions, is a man enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame whose name still carries alongside it a decision, made nearly 30 years back, not to continue fighting after eight rounds of his rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard.
“Quitter.”
Nate Campbell left the ring Aug. 1 with the bitter aftertaste of defeat. He had been cut above his left eye by a head butt, and, even worse, was bleeding within his eye from that same clash of heads with Timothy Bradley. Campbell was half blind.
The referee had ruled his wounds the result of a punch. It was the wrong ruling. When a fight stops within four rounds due to an injury caused by an accidental head butt, the bout is ruled a “No decision.”
Instead, Campbell was handed a three-round technical-knockout loss he knew was unjust. Piled onto that were accusations that he quit, that he took the easy way out, accusations that are undeserving.
Campbell is fighting the referee’s ruling and the loss, appealing to the California State Athletic Commission. A hearing has been set for Aug. 24. [details]
Comment