Anyone else felt like the Haney-Linares ref

[-Kev-]

Was only there to officiate Linares?

Seemed like Haney was able to hug, grab and push, and shove Linares with his elbow. With no warning whatsoever. Meanwhile for Linares, the ref seemed to be calling everything. He was even about to take a point away from Linares while turning his head for the real dirty fighter Haney. But likely thought better of it because in his head he realized it would have been too much BS.

Also correct me if i’m wrong, maybe I didn’t catch it clearly but did Haney hit Linares below the belt at one point and the ref told Linares in Spanish to keep his punches up? After LINARES got hit. The ref verbally reprimanded Linares for the low blow HE received. Any one catch that or am I wrong?

[daggum]

oh did you just start watching boxing? this always happens. andre wards entire career? boxes normally against a bum like alexander brand...fights kovalev or a kessler and becomes octopus man with nonstop fouls

[sherdog]

You may be onto something

[paulf]

No chance.

Haney was running into Linares and holding, but Mora was immediately breaking them and telling Haney to stop holding. If Haney had been allowed to fight like Ricky Hatton/Andre Ward, he'd have got the stoppage.

Linares could have easily lost a point for hitting behind the head. How many times was he warned? Five?

Russell Mora of all people ain't going out of his way to help a black fighter. Real talk.

[sunny31]

I thought the ref was too busy in general, I noticed him and that is always a bad thing. Felt like he was trying to make the most of his time in the spotlight