Expert: Lian Shoemake - 2/3/2008

Question
I attended the Meza-Clay/Aiken fight the other nite.  Is there a standing eight
in PA?  If there is, I thought the ref might have been better served to give
Aiken an s/8.  The stoppage was awfully quick even though the local fans,
including me, were satisfied because Meza-Clay was the winner. Thanks/  JIM

Answer
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the question.
I didn't see the bout you mentioned, but my guess is that they were using the "unified" rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), of which Pennsylvania is a member. Those rules prohibit the standing 8 count.
As an amateur referee, I find the standing 8 count to be a very valuable tool. However, there is a much greater emphasis on safety in the amateurs than in the pros.

Thanks again for writing, Jim!!
Regards,

Lian