Mercante Jr. sets a bad precedent

**Pullcounter** · 06-06-2010, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by Mana$$aMauler

What Mercante, Jr. did set a bad precedent for refs faced with a future decision. Mercante, Jr. admitted post fight that he did not know who threw in the towel.

Before the towel incident, Foreman was clearly injured and 1) should have been given the chance to be examined by a ring-side doctor and 2) should not have been egged-on by the ref to fight by Mercante, Jr. saying "suck it up". A ref should keep his emotions to himself and should refrain from encouraging or discouraging either fighter...this is the job for the corner. Foreman initially looked like he was really hurt and admitted post-fight he was, but Mercante, Jr. by trying to encourage Yuri to fight, convinced Foreman to continue on. Foreman was clearly injured and his whole advantage of lateral movement was clearly gone.

And regarding the towel...Mercante, Jr. said he was unsure who threw in the towel. He should have clearly found out who it was before he decided to continue on with the fight.

It was fortunate that Foreman was not seriously hurt subsequently or else we could be discussing how irresponsible Mercante, Jr. is.

why couldn't yuri's corner just stop the fight after the round was over?

**SkillspayBills** · 06-06-2010, 08:58 AM

It was the wrong thing to do without a doubt and IDK if he will be reprimnded for it but I wouldn't be suprised. That being said............it was pretty freaking awesome to see.

**aristotlemoses** · 06-06-2010, 09:00 AM

I don't think he did the wrong thing at all though.
The corner should have consulted with someone ring side. Then the doctor or whomever should have stood on the ring apron and waved the fight off to the ref. But I'm glad he let Yuri go off on his own terms. It was good for boxing in my opinion. Even though most people probably won't know, cause like in the post I just made ESPN did a horrible job of covering the fight, so mainstream fans won't reall yknow exactly how it went down.

**Mana$$aMauler** · 06-06-2010, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by Pullcounter

why couldn't yuri's corner just stop the fight after the round was over?

Sorry Pull, edited my post. Yuri's corner did throw in the towel. But bec Mercante said something to Foreman like "I don't want to see you lose like that" <- This ain't Mercante, Jr.'s job, if you were the corner and you did throw in the towel, you'd look like a ***** conceding defeat for your guy. I can see how the corner would not admit to throwing in the towel.

**Irish Hitman** · 06-06-2010, 09:03 AM

He is the best ref in the buisness

**Pullcounter** · 06-06-2010, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by Mana$$aMauler

Sorry Pull, edited my post. Yuri's corner did throw in the towel. But bec Mercante said something to Foreman like "I don't want to see you lose like that" <- This ain't Mercante, Jr.'s job, if you were the corner and you did throw in the towel, you'd look like a ***** conceding defeat for your guy. I can see how the corner would not admit to throwing in the towel.

I will admit that mercante egging on yuri is bad form, but if the corner won't admit to throwing in the towel, then as the ref you have to let the fight continue.

**illmaticfighter** · 06-06-2010, 09:08 AM

he did a great job all those people in the stands this kids first major title to lose like that would be wrong if he felt he could still go he was going to let him.

**Mana$$aMauler** · 06-06-2010, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Pullcounter

I will admit that mercante egging on yuri is bad form, but if the corner won't admit to throwing in the towel, then as the ref you have to let the fight continue.

True. Excellent point!

**alonsomosely** · 06-06-2010, 09:15 AM

The corned did say they did throw the towel. But in NY the law is that only the ref can stop the fight so makes no difference if the corer throws a towel or not.

However Y's corner should have been step up to force to stop the fight

Merchante Jr is a horrible ref, already 1 boxer Beethowen died in 2001 under his re*****/

Mercante Jr. sets a bad precedent