Chavez-Taylor Why blame Steele when it's Duva's fault?

[GoodBoxfella]

History has not been kind to Richard Steele for his decision in the Chavez-Taylor fight. But the truth is, if there is anyone to be blamed for Taylor's loss it should be Lou Duva as the guy jumped on the ring like a maniac(distracting Taylor at a critical moment) when his fighter had to respond to critical questions.

I was convinced that Taylor was pretty much out on his feet, but STILL had the ability to respond to Steele(If he wasn't distracted) and perhaps stay on his feet for the last few seconds(I don't know what would have happened and who should have really won and all of that stuff, that's besides the point).


The refere was simply doing his job. He asked Taylor TWICE if he was alright, and Taylor had his eyes on his trainer. What was he supposed to do, let him continue after he didn't respond? Taylor was very dizzy, and when Steel did have his attention was when he was waiving his hands. What a screw up by Lou. Why would you destract your fighter at the most critical moment of the biggest fight of his life, after he was hit with the hardest punch of the night? Blame Lou Duva(Lets also not forget how he LIED about telling Taylor that he should have cruised in the final round) not Richard Steele for doing his job.

[Silencers]

I actually blame Duva more than Steele for costing Taylor the fight. As you said he jumped up on the apron and distracted Taylor, Taylor could've responded if it wasn't for Duva. Duva also for some unbelievably ****** reason told Taylor to fight the last round, and then he went on to lie about it on Legendary Nights, I lost a lot of respect for Duva after that.

I still blame Steele a bit for not noticing the blinking red light in the corner signifying the round was coming to an end.

But, yeah, Duva deserves more blame than Steele.

[GoodBoxfella]

I actually blame Duva more than Steele for costing Taylor the fight. As you said he jumped up on the apron and distracted Taylor, Taylor could've responded if it wasn't for Duva. Duva also for some unbelievably ****** reason told Taylor to fight the last round, and then he went on to lie about it on Legendary Nights, I lost a lot of respect for Duva after that.

I still blame Steele a bit for not noticing the blinking red light in the corner signifying the round was coming to an end.

But, yeah, Duva deserves more blame than Steele.

I agree completely. And oh, to the bolded part, I realise that it is an accepted fact that Steele made a mistake by ignoring the blinking red light, but what I wonder is how a ref is supposed to respond in that situation?

[Silencers]

I agree completely. And oh, to the bolded part, I realise that it is an accepted fact that Steele made a mistake by ignoring the blinking red light, but what I wonder is how a ref is supposed to respond in that situation?

I think if it was in any other round it could have been justified, but Steele knew that was the last round.

[GoodBoxfella]

I think if it was in any other round it could have been justified, but Steele knew that was the last round.

So what should he have done, in your opinion?

[Silencers]

So what should he have done, in your opinion?

If I noticed the red light I may not have stopped the fight, but if I didn't notice the red light and asked the fighter if he was OK twice and didn't respond, I would've stopped it too.

[hhascup]

I was with Lou Duva only days after that bout and he told me something that nobody ever brings up. If you notice during the count that Chavez doesn't stay in the neutral corner. You will see him walk over to the other corner and even closer then that before Steele stopped the bout. The rules are plain, when a boxer who scores a knockdown, doesn't stay in the neutral corner the referee has to stop the count and tell the boxer to get back to the neutral corner, when the boxer does so then the referee continues the count where he left off. If Steele did that, the bell would have rung and Steele wouldn't even had to have asked Taylor any of those questions.

[GoodBoxfella]

I was with Lou Duva only days after that bout and he told me something that nobody ever brings up. If you notice during the count that Chavez doesn't stay in the neutral corner. You will see him walk over to the other corner and even closer then that before Steele stopped the bout. The rules are plain, when a boxer who scores a knockdown, doesn't stay in the neutral corner the referee has to stop the count and tell the boxer to get back to the neutral corner, when the boxers does so then the referee continues the count where he left off. If Steele did that, the bell would have rung and Steele wouldn't even had to have asked Taylor any of those questions.

Could that be the reason why he jumped on the apron?

[hhascup]

Could that be the reason why he jumped on the apron?

It's been a long time BUT I think it was. The next time I see Lou I will ask him. The last time I was with him was in Newark's Robert Treat Hotel on December 6th, when I Ring Announced a Boxing Show for him and his daughter. Before the bouts started, Lou had to be taken to the Hospital because he had chest pains. The next day I called and he was sent home and is doing good as I speak.

[GoodBoxfella]

It's been a long time BUT I think it was. The next time I see Lou I will ask him. The last time I was with him was in Newark's Robert Treat Hotel on December 6th, when I Ring Announced a Boxing Show for him and his daughter. Before the bouts started, Lou had to be taken to the Hospital because he had chest pains. The next day I called and he was sent home and is doing good as I speak.

That would be helpful. But he has lied before, or maybe it was just memory loss on his part. So I don't know if we should believe him, but like you said this has never really been mentioned before, and i honestly looked past it. So maybe he can justify his actions and put this debate to rest.