Cotto vs Margarito 2: Steve Smoger Named Referee for Saturday's Rematch
by Scott Christ on Nov 29, 2011 5:50 PM EST
in Boxing News Analysis
Email
Print
Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito went to war in 2008, and the tone from both is that they plan to do the same on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
They've got a referee who fits that plan.
Steve Smoger, known as an action-friendly referee who doesn't step in to stop fights early (and sometimes waits too long for the tastes of many), will be the third man in the ring on Saturday night, says Top Rank's Carl Moretti.
A pair of fights show the best and worst of Smoger just this year. On July 15 at New York's Roseland Ballroom, Smoger oversaw the non-stop action between Pawel Wolak and Delvin Rodriguez, who will also rematch on Saturday's card. As Wolak developed a grotesque hematoma, Smoger did his job and made sure the fight doctor was OK with the fight continuing, but otherwise stayed out of the way and let the fighters fight.
[ Related: Wolak vs Rodriguez Post-Fight Recap ]
At one point, Smoger audibly shouted, "Doc said let 'em roll!" It was one of those moments fight fans love.
But then there was Smoger's trip to Russia on May 21, where he refereed the ill-advised fight between Denis Lebedev and Roy Jones Jr.
Jones was being badly battered late in the final round of that bout, and Smoger's slow reaction to get in and stop the fight saw Jones take an extra brutal shot from the hard-punching Russian. Out on his feet, Jones crumbled to the mat and looked bad even after getting to his feet.
[ Related: Jones vs Lebedev Post-Fight Recap ]
So what do you say here? Yea or nay on Smoger being named the referee? We often love that he lets the fighters do their jobs, but Margarito's eye is a very real concern, even after he's been approved by doctors and licensed by New York.
24 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Im saying good but im hesitant
That in itself indicates I should have said Nay. But if he ref’s it like the Wolak fight, then I would be happy
I don’t think it’s the refs job to protect the fighters from themselves, that is the corners responsibility. The ref should officiate and make sure the fighters conduct themselves properly and listen to the doc’s advice. As far as fighters being out on their feet, it’s such a judgement call that I don’t like it when refs jump in early. Sadly I’d like them to jump in later, and if something damaging happens then that’s on the fighter. He knew the risks going in. So yeah I like The Smogenator just fine
you’re right that it’s also the corner’s job, but corners towels aren’t the deciding factor (Cotto vs Y. Foreman). The referee is the deciding factor, and it is absolutely, in the rules, the referees job to protect the fighters.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
This fight just got a little better, holy shit
Manning out for season + Texans "improved" defense = Texans AFC South Division CHAMPS
by battle axe of doom on Nov 29, 2011 6:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions
This fight just got a little better, holy shit
Manning out for season + Texans "improved" defense = Texans AFC South Division CHAMPS
by battle axe of doom on Nov 29, 2011 6:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Usually I’m a fan of Smoger’s hands-off refereeing style, but he showed in the Jones-Lebedev fight than he’s not the right choice for a fight where one guy is shot and might need to be rescued. Add in the amount of damage Margarito’s corner allowed him to take against Pacquiao and it’s starting to look really worrying for Marg’s long term health.
I’m fine with this choice. So much of the worry comes purely from the perception that Margarito is completely washed up and not competitive with Cotto. I have a feeling its going to be at least reasonably competitive, and with that in mind, I like Smoger as the man in the ring when two guys go all out, his dramatics and all.
For this fight...
it’s a big yes.
These two want to go to war so let them. Neither of them has any real chance of being anything meaningful pound for pound wise… This is what they box for, but feel they have something to prove by fighting each other, so let boys be boys…
<<<That is normally not my argument for any fight, being someone who especially loves the sporting aspect of mma,boxing,kickboxing,grappling ect. But in this case, I’ve lifted my normal viewpoint on combat sports, so long as everyone stays safe, let these punch each other in the face>>>
http://fistonchin.com http://brightlightssports.com
Gabriel Montoya had the tweet of the day:
“I’m told Margarito’s eye let out a “Shit just got real” when it heard Smoger would be the ref. #boxing" – @Gabriel_Montoya
by soulrise on Nov 29, 2011 8:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Good idea for us. Potentially bad idea for the fighters. But everyone’s out for blood in this fight. May as well get some.
There’s people that actually oppose his selection? I don’t understand why. Along with Bayless and Weeks he’s the best ref in boxing. And really it’s not even close. I’ve have yet to second guess Bayless once. Weeks, I have. One time. Smoger, I can’t recall. I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem with any of Smoger’s decisions. He’s an outstanding ref who doesn’t panic. He trusts his own judgment. I don’t think I ever seen Smoger in a situation where it looked he didn’t know what to do or was second guessing himself. Boxing is a contact sport. As well as a sport where everything can change in a blink of an eye. Nobody understands that better than Steve Smoger
All of it. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie. I want it all.
He’s very good most of the time, but you maybe didn’t see Lebedev vs Jones. And styles don’t just make fights, styles of fights have something to do with choice of referee. Or should have.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Je has gotten a bit fat and a bit slower. I have notivced he has been out of position a lot latley.
Might even have gotten shorter :)
Now that ref who did Canelo vs. The Frog was really something. He was invisible until he stopped the fight and was like a ballet dancer in there. Let’s have more of him.
"Boxing is the red light district of sports."
—Jimmy Cannon
Good point,but maybe he is. Do we know who’s doing W vs R?
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
I don’t know but I figured they’d have someone else doing one of the PPV undercard bouts. It’s probably undesirable to have Smoger do both. Last time I saw him work two fights on the same card, he let Wandera take loads of unnecessary damage from Sillakh and then followed up that performance by letting Lebedev get that one last shot in on Jones.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bad Left Hook
Related FanShots on Bad Left Hook
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
