Hi Steve,
Do you recall the Echols-Hopkins fight in 2000.
I was faced with a similar situation.
Echols clearly fouled Bernard. Bernard claimed he hurt his
shoulder. I examined the arm, and he had normal pulses (no vascular
compromise). I told Bernard that if he can defend himself with one arm he can
continue. If it is determined he can't defend himself, the fight is over. If he
said he couldn't continue with one arm, then it was a TKO. He continued.
If a fighter has an injury that if the fight continued could
result in permanent injury, the fight must be stopped. If the fighter wishes to
continue and can defend himself, he makes the choice.
Margaret
Goodman, who, for years was the chief ringside physician for the Nevada State
Athletic Commission and a practicing neurologist in Las Vegas, added, "It's important to understand. It's not even whether the athlete
is magnifying the injury. The physician can identify if there is no
dislocation. If a possible AC separation and the athlete wants to try to
continue, you allow it under close supervision. If there could be vascular
compromise or a problem with blood flow or the athlete complains of numbness in
the arm, you stop it. If not, it's his decision to stop. The physician is there
to allow the fighters to dictate the conclusion. It is tough to not become part
of that drama, but that is part of your job."
So there you have it.
