(POLL): Was Richard Steele wrong for stopping Chavez-Taylor?

[-Hyperion-]

Steele kept asking him if he's alright and instead of responding, he looking at his corner with a clueless look

If you cant answer when asked if you're ok, you're "out of it"

this...i mean i see why people get upset, but its not like taylor responded : hell yeah im OK, bi.tch

[welcometosaigon]

THat is a completely biased decision

It doesnt matter if theres 3 seconds or 3 mins, whether Chavez is winning or not, the Ref is suppose to make the same decision no matter whats going on in the fight

I disagree with this. The context of the fight (including the time) is worthy of consideration. I think the ref's main job is to make sure the fighters aren't put in a situations where they are at increased risk/can't defend themselves.

Taylor got up at the 5 count. There were only 5 seconds left when the count was over. How was Taylor in any danger? By the time Chavez reached him from the neutral corner there would have been no time for Julio to mount an attack. It's hard to imagine that Taylor's safety would have been jeopardized in a matter of seconds, which is why I feel the decision was terrible.

[BoxingGenius27]

Nope good stoppage

Just because it was 5 secs left, even though I'm sure he didn't know cuz it was too loud to hear the 10 sec bell, doesn't mean he should let the fight continue

Steele kept asking him if he's alright and instead of responding, he looking at his corner with a clueless look

If you cant answer when asked if you're ok, you're "out of it"

I never understood you man.

Here's your take on the Berto vs Zavec fight:

They stopped it because of the swelling, not the cut

Either way they should have let him out for the 6th to see whether he can still fight

Yea you're right

I just hate for fights to end like that, especially seemingly out of nowhere

So in one breath you're asking for a man that can't see should be given a chance to fight in a fight that has 6 rounds remaining. Don't you think he can possibly lose his eyesight?

In the other breath, you're asking to stop the fight in one of the biggest fights of the decade because a guy was looking at his corner instead of the ref?

[vacon04]

I disagree with this. The context of the fight (including the time) is worthy of consideration. I think the ref's main job is to make sure the fighters aren't put in a situations where they are at increased risk/can't defend themselves.

Taylor got up at the 5 count. There were only 5 seconds left when the count was over. How was Taylor in any danger? By the time Chavez reached him from the neutral corner there would have been no time for Julio to mount an attack. It's hard to imagine that Taylor's safety would have been jeopardized in a matter of seconds, which is why I feel the decision was terrible.

It only takes one punch to hurt and opponent. Taylor was actually seriously hurt, he couldn't even answer to the referee if he was OK or not. With 5 seconds left Chavez could've landed a punch that could actually end with Taylor's life.

It doesn't matter if there are still 2 minutes on the clock or only 5 seconds left, if a boxer is unable to continue the fight should be stopped in either case. Five seconds against a guy that was going to throw bombs while being seriously hurt is a recipe for getting permanently damaged.

[Mr. Philadel]

TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, WACK,...is just a few ways to describe that stoppage...Taylor was a champion...he fought his ass off and EARNED the right to continue...its really ****** to say Taylor should've danced the clock out...then he wouldn't have been who he was if he did that....Chavez at that time was a legend in the MAKING and Don King as usual was the MAKER...dudes need to get smart or die trying!!

[UmissUpay]

bad stoppage

wasted the dudes effort for 12 rounds

did even ask the fighter to try walk if his wobbly

[turbotime]

It was a bad stoppage.

Say Taylor got dropped, got up. Steele wiped his gloves and resumed the fight and Chavez ran over, dropped Taylor again (kind of like the last round of Trinidad/Vargas) THEN Steele stopped the fight? Would have been a good call. At least he got the chance to survive. But getting dropped in the last round of a fight you're ahead in and not given the chance to continue?

Bad call.

[vacon04]

It was a bad stoppage.

Say Taylor got dropped, got up. Steele wiped his gloves and resumed the fight and Chavez ran over, dropped Taylor again (kind of like the last round of Trinidad/Vargas) THEN Steele stopped the fight? Would have been a good call. At least he got the chance to survive. But getting dropped in the last round of a fight you're ahead in and not given the chance to continue?

Bad call.

What if Taylor get killed with that second knock down? Then allowing him to continue would've been one of the worst decisions of all times.

[Kagami Taiga]

What if Taylor get killed with that second knock down? Then allowing him to continue would've been one of the worst decisions of all times.

u allow a champion to go out like a champion. u dont what it yourself into taking that opportunity away, esp with 5 seconds left. to me, there really was no excuse for that call. its funny to hear ppl justify it when if about 100% of us were in that situation we would feel as if we were robbed and cheated. i

[vacon04]

u allow a champion to go out like a champion. u dont what it yourself into taking that opportunity away, esp with 5 seconds left. to me, there really was no excuse for that call. its funny to hear ppl justify it when if about 100% of us were in that situation we would feel as if we were robbed and cheated. i

I'm not saying that if I was in his position I wouldn't complain, maybe I would also say that it was a robbery and that I was OK to go on, but that's what most guys say even if they are actually seriously hurt.

Taylor was a great fighter, and this stoppage is going to remain as one if not the most controversial one of all times, but the referee's job is to protect a fighter no matter if he's the champion or the challenger. Taylor was hurt, right now we know that after the fight he had to stay in the hospital for some time to recover from his injuries. He could've been killed in there and that's why I think the ref made the right decision.