Last weekend we saw the worst and the best in the 'noble art'. England's Matt Skelton was fighting for the European Heavyweight title in Italy.His opponent was utterly beaten and the ref refused to stop the fight - worse still, the Italian's corner made him go out for a new round when the man clearly wanted to quit and could have been facing serious injury. It was a disgrace.Skelton invited the ref to stop the fight and when refused he did not do what so many men would have done whose ambition is a major title. He could have pummelled the hapless man mercilessly to ensure victory but instead he chose to adopt a very light touch until the French referee belatedly accepted the realities of the unhappy situation.
I like boxing and I do not want to see men getting seriously hurt to no good purpose.
Well done Matt - a man with some honour but shame on that referee and the cornermen!
