'How people die': Boxing world in shock over 'shameful' scenes
The boxing world was left shellshocked on Sunday during the undercard of Errol Spence Jr’s comeback bout against Danny Garcia.
Fighting for the first time since a horrific car crash in September 2019, Spence scored a unanimous decision victory over Garcia to retain his WBC and IBF welterweight championships.
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However the drama came during the undercard in a welterweight clash between Josesito Lopez and Francisco Santana.
Fans and commentators were left furious when Santana’s corner sent him out for more punishment when he clearly looked a beaten fighter.
The American veteran was dropped in the first, ninth and 10th rounds before the referee called the fight off.
But for many the call came way too late.
Some believed the ninth-round knockdown should have forced Santana’s corner to throw in the towel, however they inexplicably allowed their man to continue.
Santana stumbled back to his chair at the end of the ninth, only to received more punishment in the 10th.
The referee finally called off the fight, but not before Santana was sent tumbling to the canvas for a third time.
Boxing world rages over ‘shameful’ scenes
TV commentators suggested Santana was “too brave for his own good” and “almost too prideful”.
Boxing writer Dan Rafael was highly critical of Santana’s trainers for letting him continue.
“Lopez is basically destroying Santana, who has nothing but heart. Good dude. The fight should be stopped,” Rafael wrote.
“FINALLY the ref stops that beating. Josesito Lopez TKO10 Francisco Santana. The ref and corner let Santana down letting that go so long. Shameful.”
Boxing promoter Lou DiBella said watching the fight “made him sick”, labelling it an “abomination”.
“Too many refs and commissions DON’T KNOW WHAT THE F*** THEY ARE DOING!!!!!” he wrote.
⬇️⬇️⬇️ That fight made me sick. Any degree of due diligence by the ref, doc, commission and they have Chia on a short leash... they stop the fight extra QUICKLY. #Boxing failed Santana tonight and his corner was also an abomination. Smh. NO EXCUSE!! https://t.co/g4vrCbiBWr
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) December 6, 2020
Lopez is basically destroying Santana, who has nothing but heart. Good dude. The fight should be stopped. #SpenceGarcia #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) December 6, 2020
And they weren’t alone.
This is a dangerous type of fight. He is taking way too much punishment. This can have a deleterious long-term effect on Santana's health. STOP IT.
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) December 6, 2020
They waited too long to stop that fight. Irresponsible. The first time Santana took a knee it was over. #LopezSantana #SpencevsGarcia
— Raquel Cepeda (@RaquelCepeda) December 6, 2020
What the hell is Santana’s corner waiting for!?!? STOP IT!
— Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) December 6, 2020
A fighter’s job is to behave like a fighter. The ref and corner’s job is to protect him. Santana was only one in ring doing his job tonight. #LopezSantana #SpenceGarcia
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) December 6, 2020
This is how serious injuries happen. #boxing
— Evan Korn (@KornerMan44) December 6, 2020
that fight shoulda been stopped.
that's how people die. smh #lopezsantana— Champlife Promotions (@champlifeboxing) December 6, 2020
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