What Mercante, Jr. did set a bad precedent for refs faced with a future decision. Mercante, Jr. admitted post fight that he did not know who threw in the towel.
Before the towel incident, Foreman was clearly injured and 1) should have been given the chance to be examined by a ring-side doctor and 2) should not have been egged-on by the ref to fight by Mercante, Jr. saying "suck it up". A ref should keep his emotions to himself and should refrain from encouraging or discouraging either fighter...this is the job for the corner. Foreman initially looked like he was really hurt and admitted post-fight he was, but Mercante, Jr. by trying to encourage Yuri to fight, convinced Foreman to continue on. Foreman was clearly injured and his whole advantage of lateral movement was clearly gone.
And regarding the towel...Mercante, Jr. said he was unsure who threw in the towel. He should have clearly found out who it was before he decided to continue on with the fight. At post fight, we find out that Yuri's cornerman DID throw in the towel, effectively stopping the fight.
It was fortunate that Foreman was not seriously hurt subsequently or else we could be discussing how irresponsible Mercante, Jr. is.
Before the towel incident, Foreman was clearly injured and 1) should have been given the chance to be examined by a ring-side doctor and 2) should not have been egged-on by the ref to fight by Mercante, Jr. saying "suck it up". A ref should keep his emotions to himself and should refrain from encouraging or discouraging either fighter...this is the job for the corner. Foreman initially looked like he was really hurt and admitted post-fight he was, but Mercante, Jr. by trying to encourage Yuri to fight, convinced Foreman to continue on. Foreman was clearly injured and his whole advantage of lateral movement was clearly gone.
And regarding the towel...Mercante, Jr. said he was unsure who threw in the towel. He should have clearly found out who it was before he decided to continue on with the fight. At post fight, we find out that Yuri's cornerman DID throw in the towel, effectively stopping the fight.
It was fortunate that Foreman was not seriously hurt subsequently or else we could be discussing how irresponsible Mercante, Jr. is.
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