Originally posted by BattlingNelson
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What I saw up until the later rounds was mutual holding. The difference was that Ward was fighting inside and Kessler was not. When Ward's hand is behind Kessler's back, his hand is tied up as well as Kessler's hand is tied up. At that point the ref can ask them to fight out, and many times Kessler and Ward did fight out of the clinch... But keep in mind each guy has an arm neutralized. Its not like Ward was holding Kessler's arm and hitting him.
The 9th and 10th round got a bit ugly. Heads clashed because Ward was coming forward and Kessler was not backing up. The 10nth round Ward did in fact head butt in one time...I grant you that incident.
I don't think that one time...assuming it was deliberate, makes for a pattern of dirty fighting. But yes, Ward should have been deducted for that time.
Hope that helps. Head butts are an occupational hazard. LOL.
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