When to stop a fight

It’s never an easy call for a referee to stop a fight.

- 

A premature ending will lead to a howl of protest particularly if a fighter is still able to defend himself and retaliate. But a late halt could be damaging and put a fighter’s life in serious danger. Referee Carlos Padilla recalled that in 1979, he waved off the bout between Sugar Ray Leonard and Wilfred Benitez with only six seconds left in the 15-round WBC welterweight title match at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Padilla said it didn’t matter how much time was left in the fight. His main concern was to protect the fighters in the ring. Leonard had floored Benitez with 30 seconds remaining. Benitez got up, fought back but after taking two more solid punches, Padilla stepped in. It’s often said that a second early is better than a second too late in stopping a fight.