This is what the ref saw after Montiel got up and he tells him to walk forward

[Rockin']

This is why I would agree in having DOCTORS as referees instead of calling a referee to step in and examine a fighter. Same referee mistakes with Pacquiao over Margarito...

What fans often discount is the brain health of the fighters. The body is doing its own thing doesn't mean the fighter still wants to fight, it's just instinctive...those twitches/spams speak for itself, there's no brain connection there anymore but the firings of electrical impulses over motor nerves...

Thus sure, the mind says MOVE IT but the body is not cooperating or coordinating very well.

This could very well end up in a very severe concussion leading towards brain damage. Or Instant death. Or delayed death.

Doctors do not belong in a ring calling a fight. The doctors place is at ringside with clear view of the fighters and the action that is taking place. Fighter goes down, referee grabs little flash light from his shirt pocket and beams the light in to the fallen fighters eye and then quickly pulls the beam away. The first silent 8 count in history. The doctors that work the fights have generally been doing it for years. I used to see the same guys time and again around the state. They become familiar and at any time can recommend to the referee that the fight be stopped....Rockin'

[Crazylegs77]

montiel still had a punchers chance I guess he thought

[ThePunchingBag]

If Kelly Pavlik could do it, why not Montiel?

I hate overprotective refs. This is a prize fight, not a backyard scrap.

As a fighter, I'd keep going as long as my heart is beating, my eyes are open, and my legs can move.

Montiel has serious heart in getting up. He deserved the chance.

[jellybeans]

Maybe because he thought Montiel was no longer on ****** Mode after that devastating punch but he realized the error of his ways and just let Donaire punch him once or twice before stopping it.

[fabie]

Doctors do not belong in a ring calling a fight. The doctors place is at ringside with clear view of the fighters and the action that is taking place. Fighter goes down, referee grabs little flash light from his shirt pocket and beams the light in to the fallen fighters eye and then quickly pulls the beam away. The first silent 8 count in history. The doctors that work the fights have generally been doing it for years. I used to see the same guys time and again around the state. They become familiar and at any time can recommend to the referee that the fight be stopped....Rockin'

What you were stating - was the obvious. Thus I said, I would rather agree with doctors as referees likewise. Save money and cut the referees' money and have a doctor instead.

"Breaking a clinch" isn't very hard and they can readily assess the fighters' health status so as to stop fight before it gets really bad.

But obviously it is just my humble and little opinion.

[Ilov80s]

come on montiel fans would be screaming premature stoppage. Stop it man you know how it works. Atleast nobody can say that here.

Look I thought it should have been stopped either. But who cares? montiel got up before 10 and Donaire sealed it. The ref gave the champ a chance and he was quick to step in after 2 punches from donaire.

Did you see how much damage Donaire did with 1 punch when Montiel was 100%? If Donaire landed one more clean hook, Montiel could of gone out cold.

What if Paul Williams had magically popped up at 9? Think it would have been good for the ref to walk up to him, grab his gloves, and then waive Sergio Martinez in to hit him 2 more times?

[zero188]

Maybe because he thought Montiel was no longer on ****** Mode after that devastating punch but he realized the error of his ways and just let Donaire punch him once or twice before stopping it.

I think this is what it comes down to. He was shocked to see montiel get up that he stopped the count. When he realized he made a fatal mistake, he made up his mind to stop it as soon as nonito made contact with montiels limp body.