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Results of Harding - Johnson Poll! Boxing fans had the floor on this one!
August 12, 2004
Photo credit: Sue TL Fox
 
 
(AUG 12) WBAN recently ran a poll for boxing fans to give their opinion on the Tonya Harding vs. Amy Johnson bout, where Team Harding is protesting the fact that the fight should have stopped in the second round after Johnson was knocked down to the canvas by Harding. There were also other disputed issues in their protest.  

WBAN had a video clip of the
second round with the poll, so that boxing fans could view it before voting!   The Poll Question was the following:  Based on the second round, should this fight be ruled a "No Contest"; or should Harding be declared the winner by a second round TKO over Johnson; or should the fight stand as is, for Johnson; and lastly were the boxing fans "undecided" after viewing the clip.

 
 


 

The Harding-Johnson Fight should be declared a "No Contest".           Vote:  11.25%


 

Harding should be declared the winner by a second round TKO over Johnson. Vote:  53.75%


 

The decision of the  fight should not be reversed.
Johnson would remain the winner.  Vote:  
32.5%

Undecided        Vote:  2.5%
 
 


TOP HOT COMMENTS SENT IN BY BOXING FANS!


 

Tonya's Opponent took Her "Mouthpiece" Out by Herself and Motioned-"No Mas"- and walked to Her Corner-Not a 'Neutral Corner" and Her Manager looked like He was "Throwing In" the Towel"  Richard W. - Maryland
   




 

I was supposed to fight Harding, but she backed out.  Then she ducked out again on another REAL boxer in Oakland.  Johnson just did all female boxers a favor and showed Tonya for who she really is (an ice skater) Thanks Johnson.  The fight should stand and Tonya should quit boxing and become a pro wrestler in WWE. Beth Westover
   

 

Tonya should win, because the Johnson quit and the ref stop counting and force Johnson to keep going. S. Glare
   








 

Okay, I admit that serious rules were broken such as the removal of the mouthpiece, cross-waving of her arms and not responding to continue the fight.  But this fight was broken to begin with!  If this was a choice in this poll, it would be "Amy Johnson and Tonya Harding should have rematch and settle this once and for all because I really don't care."  The truth being of course is that Tonya has never fought A REAL COMPETITOR OR A REAL FIGHTER IN THIS LIFETIME and Amy REALLY NEEDS TO START DEVELOPING HERSELF AS A BOXER BEFORE I RESPECT HER...William C.
   

 

The referee on site was in a position to make the call and he didn't, so the decision should stand.  Harold D.
   



















 

After seeing the additional video clips and reading the protest, I think I would make the following comments. 1. Johnson did use her laces on Tonya's face in the clinches.  2. She also used her forearms and a few elbows in her face all thru the fight.  3. She repeatedly pushed down and punched Tonya in the back of the head when she had the chance.  4. It appeared that Johnson quit after the knock down.  5. She removed her mouth piece , waved off the Ref., went to her corner, hung over the ropes, and got a lecture from her corner.  6. The ref. then talks to her and all this with an 8 count takes about 26 seconds. 7. In the 3rd round Johnson lands some punches and the Ref. stops the fight.  8. Tonya is still standing, she goes after Johnson, NO 8 count , and the Ref. stops the fight.  9. The fight starts with poor sportsmanship from Johnson,  PUNCHING gloves. The Ref. should have taken a point to establish Law and Order.  Tonya should be declared the Winner or the fight should be Declared a No Contest and a rematch should be made.   There should be a new Ref. As a matter of fact the existing Ref. should be BANNED for incompetence. Nick C.
   

 

This is a ridiculous fight, however it is clear that Harding should have won, because Johnson quit and was forced back into the fight by the ref, after he stop count:O     Grace P.
   


 

I feel the referee took too long to continue counting and then stopped to show Tonya the other corner to stand in. Tonya did win as far as I am concerned. Her opponent waved her hands as if she had enough. Bill V.
   

















 

I saw nothing wrong with the fight, Harding knock down Johnson.  Johnson picked herself up straight away, she waved her arms if to say it was not a knock down, rather than she wanted to quit.  The referee did not turn Johnson around, she turn to the centre of the ring of her own accord.  I did not feel that the referee was trying to encourage Johnson to fight, she seem to me to try convince the referee, that it was not a knock down (it was, she left her chin wide open).  I saw no physical contact on Johnson by any of her corner men while she was in her corner.   She looked ready to fight, she looked like she was in control, while she was in her corner, like I said before she looked like she was trying to convince the referee it was not a knock down.  I think the criticism of Johnson for removing her gum shield is a bit harsh, yes normally it is against the rules, but in this case the fight had already stopped when she removed the gum shield.  If she removed the gum shield during the fight, then I would agree that the fight should of stop, but in this case I cannot.  I think the decision should stand for Johnson.  David - UK 
   

 

Truth of the matter she did win cause Johnson did give-up in the second round.  If it wasn't for that Harding was getting smashed.  George C.
   

 

The better fighter won. Hardings camp should stop whining. Jim M.
   

 

OK, in that round should be a TKO, because the trainer of Johnson protested the knockdown with the referee. I dont know if that can be done but thats what I think. Pedro
   

 

She landed a good punch that caught Johnson in the face that got her down to the canvas.  Eric H.
   

 

The bottom line is that when the referee reached the end of the mandatory 8 count Johnson was ready to continue. Any gestures she made before that are irrelevant. Bobby D.
   

 

There was no contest - Johnson quit after taking a hit to the chin.  Laura G.
   

 

Looks like Johnson was waving her arms saying I'm ok- Fight should not be a no contest but win for Johnson. Blanca
   

 

It's obvious that Johnson waved her hands and took out her mouthpiece, she wanted to quit....The ref gave her a lucky break....Tonya should get the win. Steve G.
   







 

Though I couldn't hear what was going on (no sound), it didn't look to me as if Johnson was hurt.  She looked like she may have been caught off guard but recovered almost immediately. She looked like she was just signaling that she was ok.   As far as removing her mouthpiece, that may have been just her inexperience.  She came back out to fight when instructed to and based on reports went on to pummel Harding in the 3rd round.  Harding's Team should just accept that she lost this fight and stop trying to win on some technicality.  Steve
   

 

It sure looked like the girl Quit! The ref. should have stopped it there, but since he did'nt , it was his mistake. has to be ruled a no contest. Darryl
   

 

As crappy as Tony Harding fought, I still give her the TKO win.  Her opponent clearly acted as though she wanted to quit the fight. Alice Yauger - Pro Boxer
   













 

At least a warning should have been given to Amy Johnson for taking out her mouthpiece. She got caught (maybe while she was stepping back), but she was not at all in trouble. She was the one dominating the fight. So, from that perspective, there is no reason to believe that she would want to quit or that the fight needed to be stopped. We still don't know what the referee said to Amy Johnson and what her response was. It is not her fault that the referee did not warn her about the mouthpiece. Regarding the decision on whether the fight should have been stopped, if she did say to the referee that she wanted to quit, then I would say that Harding should get the win. If she did not say that she wanted to quit, then the referee should have at least given her a warning. And, in the latter case, I don't think Harding should get the win because Amy Johnson did not look like she was in trouble. Anca
   
























 

What I  saw in the clip was that Johnson was clearly winning the round by out landing Harding and easily controlling the action.  after the knockdown, it appeared that Harding attempted to hit Johnson when she was down by the way she had her hand raised and was standing over the downed Johnson.  in most states, the ref wont begin the count until the other party is actually in the neutral corner.  Contrary to the written statement, Johnson was actually up by about count 3 or 4, not 8.  She did not stumble, but calmly walked to her corner.  Her hand motion seemed to indicate to her corner that she was fine, “the knockdown was nothing”.  To assume she was quitting when she didn’t specify that verbally must make Brown a mind reader. She turned herself around as the ref completed the mandatory 8 count and did not speak to or was touched by any one in her corner.  The ref in no way "convinced" her to continue fighting.  It appeared he asked the typical questions of a fighter once they have been downed then wiped Johnson’s gloves and then resumed the fighting by having Harding start from the opposite corner of Johnson.  She was physically able and willing to continue fighting since she went right back to fighting Harding.  The entire episode actually took about 19 seconds and in no way resembles the version Brown describes.  It is obvious that for Harding to be competitive, she should move down a weight class or 4 rather than complain about just officiating when she takes on girls way bigger than her.  Stephanie Dobbs - Pro Boxer.
   












 

If I'm not mistaken, only the referee can halt a match for a mouthpiece issue. Also, since Johnson went down, but got up, she should have been given a standing eight count and then after the referee determined that she could continue, then and only then should the fight have reconvened. What seems to have happened here was that Johnson got knocked down, Harding was directed to a neutral corner, but by the time that the referee had went back to counting over Johnson, which he should have never been distracted from doing, she was already back up and calling for time, which she cannot do. Only the referee can do that, when he sees the need to do so. I say call it a TKO in Harding's favor, but a no contest with a rematch would be viable too, if all parties involved are agreeable to that. Longjab
   

 

After reading further, I definitely say it should be declared a TKO for Harding. The referee let this thing get out of hand. Harding definitely deserves some consideration here.  Longjab
   

 

All things considered, this fight should be ruled a "no contest." (Not that this says much for Tonya Harding--she's a mediocrity.) Orville L.
   



 

I watched the clip, both fighters have good arguments.  However Brown didn't look wobbly when she left her corner and only the ref knows what she was saying.  Boxing matches shouldn't be overturned, even though there are mistake  for example the Holyfield Lewis draw.  However a rematch should be ordered  Carrie C.
   



 

As much as I don't like Harding and think she's an embarrassment to the sport, it looks like to me that her opponent was clearly quitting, and the referee should have stopped the fight as soon as she removed her mouthpiece. I'd have to say Harding should be awarded a TKO win. John C
   















 

After sending in a previous response I have reviewed the fight several more times.  Statements made in the appeal are a clear exaggeration of the facts.   Checking the second hand on my watch I counted less than 4 seconds from the time Johnson hit the canvas until she got up (far less than the 8 count noted in the complaint) and approximately 16 seconds from the time of the knockdown to the time the referee stepped back from Johnson to allow them to continue the fight.  The only problem was that Harding was not in her corner and the referee then had to wave Harding back to her corner until the fight could resume.  This took additional seconds.  It is also clear that Johnson was not dazed and unable to fight, nor does it appear that she was unwilling to fight.  This appeal seems mostly baseless or relates to minor technicalities that should not result in changing the decision.  I've seen much more serious violations of the rules and normally the referee gives a warning or takes a point away from the boxer. Steve M.
   





 

It's a hard call. Johnson may have been indicating that she had not been hurt and was waving it off, or that she had enough and was done. She was clearly wobbly and her corner should have stayed off the apron. The removal of the mouthpiece was a foul and points should have been deducted. However, I would say that Johnson was well ahead on points. No contest and fight again at a later date.  John C..
   

 

I was at the fight and Amy got up right away and was ready to box, The decision should stay. Amy got up before the 8 count was over. Michelle - Canada
   




 

That should stand as is. Regardless of all the histronics during the count, Johnson was ready to go at the count of 8. The ref waved her in and she went back in. One thing is clear: Harding needs to learn how to move her head top avoid punches. She was lucky that Johnson didn't hit for power. Rick S.
   

 

It's sad that people will try so hard to bend the truth, and think that we cannot see for ourselves.  Exaggeration is not the word for Mr. Brown's words.  Rich
   

 

While I couldn't view your footage, i've seen the video on in dispute on Portland's KGW-TV. it is clearly as Mr. Brown has stated in his protest. Dave G.
   

 

She didn't look hurt, got right up, and appears to be saying to her corner, I'm fine, I'm not hurt, that was nothing"  Travis H.
   

 

The ref reached 8 and asked Johnson if she wanted to continue and she did, the result should stand. Andy
   



 

Amy Johnson was down and clearly took advantage of the time she was given, after indicating her inability /unwillingness to continue the fight.  Everything in Brown's complaint, at least regarding what was shown in the video of Round 2, was correct.  Harding should have won the fight on a TKO.  Mike A.
   

 

Harding certainly has a legit beef. It appears her opponent signaled she was through. S.S.
   






 

I took a second look at the tape and I think Johnson got hit and went down, but it's not clear if it was from being off balance or a slip. She did get up removed her mouth piece and waved her hands to the referee to say it was not a knock down but a slip. It did not look as if she was hanging on the ropes or if she wanted to stop. It looked more like she was a little winded from beating up Harding! Swift E. (First comment: It looked like she got hit took a step back and slipped. Swift E.)
   







 

The referee starting counting as soon as Amy was on the canvass and only reached the count of eight when Amy turn around to face him and she definitely was not stumbling around, she got up quickly and walked easily to the corner.  You can clearly read his lips and the only thing he said to Amy (twice) was " Are you okay".  I've seen professional male boxers take a longer count than that.  Mr Brown is a whiner, he knows his fighter was beaten but if he admits it Tonya will probably quit and he'll be out of a job.  Kim C. - Canada
   

 

Harding should get the win for a second round TKO. Ed O.
   









 

I would like to know what fight Mr Brown was watching.  Amy Johnson wasn't lacing Tonya, she was struggling to get her hands free because Tonya was holding her hands to avoid the constant beating.  Amy got up immediately after being knocked down and was waving to indicate she was not harmed and to not stop the fight.  Amy turned around immediately when the referee starting talking to her and was not physically turned around like Mr.  Brown states; and her second never touched her.   (WBAN would like to know WHAT this is called then, because it sure looks like "lacing" to us! )  LACIING 1  LACING 2
   

 

To me Harding won. Michael K.

 
   

 

It was over (in the second round)...Ross

 
   

 

Robbery. Esteban S.

 
   

 

The rules looked not to be properly applied. Steve F.
 
   

 

The Harding people have a vivid imagination, at best. David P.
 
   

 

From what I saw on the clip Johnson clearly seemed to indicate that she was finished  and had had enough. Has the referee made any comment on his decision? Be very interested to hear his side of things. Neil R.
   

 

The fighter looked like she wanted to quit after the k.o. but fought on. The decision should stand. Turner
   

 

Sure looked like Johnson quit to me.  C.M.
   

 

It is confusing to me. I can't tell if Johnson is quitting or saying it is not a knockdown. One thing is clear. Harding can't fight and really needs to get a job! She is lucky she hasn't gotten badly hurt yet.  Rob W.
   

 

The girl was motioning to her corner she was OK in my opinion. Adam C.
   

 

Give Tonya a fair shot already .  Cheryl K.
   

 

looks like she waved her hands like she quit. Ronnie
   

 

THE FIGHTER CALLED IT QUITS.  Dana

 
 
     
     
     
     
     

 

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