Was the stoppage in Lewis-McCall I premature?

[Marciano Frazier]

If you have access to it, I implore you, please review the film before voting in this poll!

[Mendoza]

Lewis fell into the ref's chest after he got up. The stoppage was fine based on that.

[Rebel-INS]

Nope, I think he would've been stopped anyway if they'd carried on.

[Bad_Intentions]

Lewis fell into the ref's chest after he got up. The stoppage was fine based on that.^ what he said.

[Holmes' Jab]

Yes. He should have been given the chance to continue.

[fists of fury]

I've since changed my opinion on this one. I used to think the stoppage was justified, but the more I see it, the more I feel it was a bit premature. This was for the biggest title in boxing, and the defending champ I believe should have gotten the benefit of the doubt.

There is no doubt Lewis was on queer street, but I've seen plenty of fighters in even worse condition given one more chance.

[Holmes' Jab]

There is no doubt Lewis was on queer street, but I've seen plenty of fighters in even worse condition given one more chance.


Yes. This point is especially valid: Holyfield against Cooper, Holmes against Snipes (and Shavers) were decked and appeared at least as badly hurt. All were given the benefit of the doubt and turned the fight around: Lewis might not have but in truth we'll never know.

[fists of fury]

The one I remember most vividly for some reason was Milton McCrory vs. Donald Curry, when Curry flattened him with a hook. Mccrory got up, but was glassy eyed and was swaying on his feet like a drunk. He was in a much worse state than Lennox was, and Mills Layne gave him a chance.

It didn't help Milton much, but still...he was given that chance.

[McGrain]

No, it wasn't premature. But it should always be kept in mind that many of the men Lewis is compared to - from Jeffries to Larry Holmes - would have been allowed to continue. Definitely, Jeffries through to Patterson would have been.

[Rattler]

No, it wasn't premature. But it should always be kept in mind that many of the men Lewis is compared to - from Jeffries to Larry Holmes - would have been allowed to continue. Definitely, Jeffries through to Patterson would have been.

Yes, but that was back in the days when fighters weren't earning millions of dollars per fight - when the boxing authority could and would set you on ice after a loss for as long as they wanted to.

Nowadays, somebody like Lennox Lewis isn't going to have to wait that long to get another shot at a title - so refs don't feel as willing to let a fighter risk a future payday - or risk becoming the next Richard Greene.

[la-califa]

Stick a fork in him... he was DONE!

[Vanboxingfan]

I'm always on the side of safety, especially when it was unlikely Lewis would have won. So I'm fine with the stoppage.

[apollack]

He was dropped, he did get up on wobbly legs which slightly buckled as he moved forward and fell into the referee. Justifiable stoppage. However, I think the ref should have backed away, allowed Lennox to fall, and continued with the count up to ten. Then there can't be any complaints.

[red cobra]

Yes it was. It was two things. actually and that was premature and a fluke on top of that.

[Woddy]

It was very premature. Mccall would have lost that fight and Lewis would easily beat Joe Louis Ezard Charles and rocky Fartciano.

[Bill1234]

There is an argument for both sides. I'm not sure what I would have done. It's not like the ref was able to stop and watch the clip 20 times over to make a choice. From Lewis's first reaction getting up, I probably would have let it go, but would have stopped it if he wasn't blocking or showing anysigns of offence.

[Marciano Frazier]

To repeat my own opinion, it appears to me that Lewis is almost completely incapacitated when he's on the canvas and looks like he is doing literally everything in his power just to get to his feet and walk towards the ref. He's completely shaky, he can't take two even steps in a row, he lurches into the ref's chest as he comes in for inspection- I absolutely disagree that Holyfield against Cooper or Holmes against Shavers were in as bad or worse shape than that. Watch the two clips in succession; a seasoned boxing fan should be able to see the difference. If the referee allows the Lewis-McCall I fight to continue, I bet you my life's savings that Lewis doesn't last another 15 seconds and is only knocked out a more brutal and resounding fashion.

Anyway, I founded this thread because of a statement by ChrisPontius that "practically everyone thinks the stoppage was premature" in this fight. I disagreed and started this poll as a result, and although there is clearly a large portion of the boxing public (perhaps the majoirty) which disagrees with me here (I believe because they have not examined the film recently and/or critically enough), I do think this poll establishes that it is far from "practically everyone" who thinks that this stoppage was premature.

[ChrisPontius]

Anyway, I founded this thread because of a statement by ChrisPontius that "practically everyone thinks the stoppage was premature" in this fight. I disagreed and started this poll as a result, and although there is clearly a large portion of the boxing public (perhaps the majoirty) which disagrees with me here (I believe because they have not examined the film recently and/or critically enough), I do think this poll establishes that it is far from "practically everyone" who thinks that this stoppage was premature.

I stand corrected. Still, a majority of 21 against 16 votes that it was a premature stoppage.

[amhlilhaus]

the referee almost pulled lennox off his feet when he checked his fitness to continue, it's cut and dried.

[mike464]

I'm a Lewis fan but he was in no state to continue. He was almost leaning on the ref when it was waved off.