THE RIGHT CALL
FANS are often quick to jump down the throat of a referee for stopping a fight too early or a trainer for letting it go on too long. However, Barry Hunter stepped in at exactly the right moment when pulling his fighter, Lamont Peterson, out against Errol Spence. Everything about his decision was perfect.
At the end of the sixth round he asked if Lamont was OK, and demanded more in the next round or he would stop the fight. Peterson – showing his fighting spirit – claimed he was fine and could carry on. But he was getting beaten to the punch and slowly taking more and more punishment. Even after the seventh round, Hunter used the whole minute available to assess his fighter before pulling him out as the bell rang for the eighth. It is never an easy decision, but boy was this the right one.
During his post-fight interview, Hunter touched on exactly why he stopped the fight, and it was beautiful to hear. He explained that his fighter is more important to him than the sport itself. When something is done right in boxing, especially on the big stage, we should applaud it as loud as we do when we so often criticise it.
Andy Garside
MORE PRAISE FOR HUNTER
AFTER watching yet another virtuoso display from Errol Spence, I feel compelled to give immense praise to Lamont Peterson’s trainer, Barry Hunter. Quite clearly he could see that there was no point in sending Peterson out for the eighth round. He knew his man was too brave for his own good and quite probably would have taken too much punishment if he had sent him back out. Peterson was spent and it would have been dangerous to put him back into the fray. Great decision, Hunter.
Norman Wilson
SHOT AT REDEMPTION
IF the rumours of a potential fight between David Price and Alexander Povetkin are true, you’d think most people would be writing Price off, but this sport throws up some beautiful ironic twists. With Price having been stopped by two drug cheats, if he was to beat and even KO Povetkin, it would be the most beautiful redemption, considering Povetkin has failed a drug test in the past.
Shaun Elvey
IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE
IT makes no sense potentially putting David Price in with an opponent of Alexander Povetkin’s calibre. Price has serious stamina and chin issues. I can’t see this going beyond the first round.
Simon Collins