Article on the ref from the fight, dude is all fukked up mentally. It's in French so the translation might be fukked up a bit
https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2018/12/16/jai-pense-tout-lacher
NEW YORK | The third man on the ring in Quebec, when Adonis Stevenson crashed under the blows of Oleksandr Gvozdyk, saw his own tragedy.
Michael Griffin has lost fifteen pounds since the night of the 1 st of December. Yesterday, the thin features, he waited impatiently in the portico of the hotel the moment to head to Madison Square Garden where he was going to officiate the evening match Sadam Ali.
"I wanted to get back to action right away. It's like after an accident, you have to start again as soon as possible, "said Griffin.
The entire boxing community, local or international, was unanimous in pointing out that the referee's job at the end of the fight in Quebec City was impeccable.
Under the circumstances, he could not get into the action more quickly. In one or two seconds, the two boxers changed positions at the same time that Gvozdyk struck the last shots on the champion.
But the international community is not Michael Griffin's heart or soul. He is a proud man who is keenly aware of the importance of his work in a ring. He always made a point of being in the ring to ensure the safety of boxers.
100 times the fight
"I had to see the fight again at least a hundred times. Everything went so fast. I was dealing with a southpaw against a right-hander and it's harder to always have an open angle to intervene. I can not see how I could have reacted otherwise. I saw that Stevenson could no longer defend himself. But because of the movements of the two boxers and my position, I had to wait a second, "said Griffin.
He has not yet contacted the Stevenson clan. He expects to wait a few more days before calling Simone God.
"I lost my appetite, I lost more than 10 pounds. Every night, I wake up at 4 am with the images of the fight in mind. I thought about letting go, "he added, his throat tied with emotion.
And yet, refereeing is a deep passion for this upright and respected man all over the planet.
Real causes
Griffin is aware that it was not a single punch that caused the injury suffered by Stevenson. He has enough experience in boxing to explore other causes of this drama. Preparation, training camp, dehydration; if ever the worst happened, it will be necessary to find the real reasons.
And then Griffin was on duty in Toronto when Badou Jack nearly knocked out Adonis in the last 30 seconds of their fight.
Moreover, in the first round at Quebec, Griffin passed the remark that Stevenson seemed to have taken a shot of old. But he quickly focused on his work.
Last night, when he climbed the ring at Madison Square Garden,
Griffin was visibly nervous. Alone, awaiting the arrival of the boxers and their healers, his feet moved and he breathed deeply. Then the pugilists appeared and reflexes took over. The referee went to Sadam Ali's corner and made the usual checks. In pro.
The fight started, and after a few tens of seconds we found Michael Griffin. Vivid, always well positioned and the authoritarian attitude that is necessary for the protection of boxers.
Like a young person who falls on a bicycle, he had to start pedaling again. In the third round, everything was back to normal.
Life goes on ...