The final moments of Kirkland Tapia..

[M.I Truth ?]

I hate to say this as a fan of Kirkland. I have seen people place a lot of blame on the corner of Tapia as well as Smoger. The thing is each time I see the last shot I cant help but feel Kirkland threw that last shot well aware that the fight was over. Smoger jumped in and made contact with him and he may have been is beast mode but there was a a bit of a delay before he threw that last punch. I think part of the reason Tapia was so hurt by the punch was because like Kirkland he knew the fight was over and relaxed making him more vulnerable to be hurt by that vicious shot. I don't expect this to be a popular observation but but as a fan of Kirkland I would be lying to myself if I pretend I didn't see what I saw. I just wonder if anyone else has a similar opinion.

[BUNGALOWS]

That's common sense. How do you blame anyone other than the guy that threw the punch, in that circumstance?

Corner was to blame as well, but to not blame Kirkland is asinine.

In his defense, it is hard to stop throwing in midair though, BUT, no excuse. The fight was CLEARLY stopped.

And an argument against Kirkland. He snuck in the first shot in between the ref and Tapia. The 2nd hit was completely unnecessary.

[Southpawology]

Kirklands a brute savage what do you expect

[M.I Truth ?]

That's common sense. How do you blame anyone other than the guy that threw the punch, in that circumstance?

Corner was to blame as well, but to not blame Kirkland is asinine.

In his defense, it is hard to stop throwing in midair though, BUT, no excuse. The fight was CLEARLY stopped.

And an argument against Kirkland. He snuck in the first shot in between the ref and Tapia. The 2nd hit was completely unnecessary.

The corner played a part in it no doubt. I am just surprised that I have hardly seen anyone mention that Kirkland clearly knew the fight was over. Even The broadcast crew seemed to ignore Kirkland's part in it. It is what it is I just wish Kirkland would have dont the right thing in that situation.

[bigcursedawg]

I read great article on maxboxing yesterday addressing the failings of Tapia's corner, the doctor and Smoger. The corner should have never sent him out into the 5th round. The doctor could've stopped it in the corner and Smoger could've stopped the fight a little earlier and no body would've complained.
Saying all that I still felt Kirkland purposely threw that last punch knnowing the ref was stopping the fight. If you rewatch it Kirkland is just throwing a bunch of punches and was already overwhelming Tapia and right as Smoger steps in to stop the fight Kirkland loads up on his last punch all of a sudden. It was nothing short a cowardice act to do on a defenseless man. That was some shameful ****.
I heard people were saying it was foty. It was nothing more than a onesided beat down. foty, give me a break.

[BUNGALOWS]

The corner played a part in it no doubt. I am just surprised that I have hardly seen anyone mention that Kirkland clearly knew the fight was over. Even The broadcast crew seemed to ignore Kirkland's part in it. It is what it is I just wish Kirkland would have dont the right thing in that situation.

Fans love a brutal type finisher, and he finished. Plus, I don't think there are too many Tapia fans in here. Otherwise, this would've been the biggest **** storm, ever.

I'm like you. When I was watching it live, I was like, . "He knew the fight was stopped! That was a ***** move!" But you gotta step back, and realize they're in a fight, and adrenaline is pumping through them.

Still, it wasn't cool, at all.

[BUNGALOWS]

I heard people were saying it was foty. It was nothing more than a onesided beat down. foty, give me a break.

Completely agree. FOTY!? Are you crazy? That was legal assault and battery in the ring.

[Southpawology]

Fans love a brutal type finisher, and he finished. Plus, I don't think there are too many Tapia fans in here. Otherwise, this would've been the biggest **** storm, ever.

I'm like you. When I was watching it live, I was like, . "He knew the fight was stopped! That was a ***** move!" But you gotta step back, and realize they're in a fight, and adrenaline is pumping through them.

Still, it wasn't cool, at all.

Ive seen some kirkland sparring sessions on youtube in anne wolfs small ass homemade wooden ring and kirkland is a madman. If I recall correctly there was one session and anne is screaming for kirkland to stop, the closest comparison I can think of is an owner that cant control an aggressive dog. Kirkland trains violent and fights violent.

[M.I Truth ?]

Fans love a brutal type finisher, and he finished. Plus, I don't think there are too many Tapia fans in here. Otherwise, this would've been the biggest **** storm, ever.

I'm like you. When I was watching it live, I was like, . "He knew the fight was stopped! That was a ***** move!" But you gotta step back, and realize they're in a fight, and adrenaline is pumping through them.

Still, it wasn't cool, at all.

Im all about the benefit of the doubt in the fight. I don't plan on dwelling on it but just needed to make sure I'm not in the twilight zone and that other people saw what I saw.

[M.I Truth ?]

Ive seen some kirkland sparring sessions on youtube in anne wolfs small ass homemade wooden ring and kirkland is a madman. If I recall correctly there was one session and anne is screaming for kirkland to stop, the closest comparison I can think of is an owner that cant control an aggressive dog. Kirkland trains violent and fights violent.

Yea I think I saw a session a few years ago of Kirkland being pulled off a battered sparing partner. Its dangerous in the ring as is. One of the thing I love about the sport is guys go for the kill within the parameters of the rules. When its over they are gracious and wish each other well. Its just as important to be a good winner as it is to be a good loser.