Opinions expressed in this piece are the authors, I have heard countless opinions on this from those who were at the fights and those who have only seen the video. The crazy thing is, almost everyone saw this a little different than each other. Jason Timlin is going to be joining us as a writer going into the new year, MNBoxingleague.com will be going through some changes we will discuss at a later date.

The Video Is Out!

By: Jason Timlin

Mayhem in the ring, Courtesy SnapLocally.com

Abell vs Butler fight ruled a no contest is on video for the world to see and a few things can be taken from this tape. First off here is the web address you can see the fight, MinnesotaBoxing.com

Instead of dissecting this fight like one normally would I suggest you go straight to the 6:10 mark so you can see the action. The tape shows Abell landing a big left that stuns Butler and Abell charges forward as Butler falls backward to the corner eating 6 straight punches before going down. Next Butler picks himself up off the canvas to take the standing 8 count. The end of the round bell rings but it becomes obvious the referee doesn’t hear the bell. He instructs the fighters to fight. Butler drops his gloves and takes his first step toward his corner. Abell hits Butler with a right hand then looks at the referee! Next Abell measures Butler with a short right, and lands a knockout left hand. Butler falls to the canvas and it’s clear he is out before he hits the floor. At the 6:39 mark of the video the referee starts his count. He makes it all the way to the count of two before his attention is caught by Butlers corner man who has entered the ring and starts to push Minnesota Ice. It becomes clear to a viewer that referee Bobby Burnette did not know the round was over when the knockout took place. It is very unclear if Abell heard the bell. Abell did clearly hear the referee tell them to fight! The decision to call this a no contest was correct because the referee clearly gives instructions to fight because he didn’t know the round was over. I think Butler was still dazed and didn’t pay attention to the instructions given by the referee because he heard the bell and desperately wanted the minute break between rounds.

Now let us examine the second fight in the ring. I’d just like to say that I don’t think anyone should be suspended! All involved knowingly partook in an unsanctioned street fight. I don’t think the commission that oversees boxing in Minnesota needs to take any action. I didn’t see any victims in the video footage. Now that I got that out of the way let us get back to the brawl. Abell’s corner men jump into the ring and a second fight begins. At the 6:45 mark everyone involved in the second fight is in the ring. Punches are thrown and it’s hard to see who is hitting whom. Referee Bobby Burnette is trying to break up the brawl when Abell jumps into the mess. At the 6:51 mark Joey goes over Burnettes back to grab Butlers corner man O’connor. Abell appears to execute the DDT a move made famous by Jake the Snake Roberts of professional wrestling. O’connor suffered a broken ankle and it can’t be seen on the video tape, but if I had to guess it was Abell’s take down that got the job done. That is about all there is anyone needs to see to know about this fight.

I have heard talks about a rematch. How could a rematch happen? It sounded as if the whole crowd was pro Abell. I have also received accounts from some in attendance that the pro Abell crowd was drunk. A promotions team must take this in to consideration. Abell brings in a following who buys drinks at the Target Center price. These are all good things to have! None of Abell’s drunken fans stormed the ring during any of the fighting, instead they just chanted Abell’s name. Butler’s fans, where were they? Were they buying expensive beers all night? Did they even make anti Abell noise after the shots Butler took after the bell? You sure couldn’t hear them! Butler was also down in the first round! How could anyone offer the same money to Butler as they did for the first fight? Why would Butler take less money for a rematch?

Just one last point before I wrap this up. Had almost any other fighter been in the same situation as Abell was in, I think the fight continues. Sure a guy might land three punches after the bell but he probably wouldn’t knock his opponent out. During the round break the referee, and the time keeper would work something out and a decision would be made if a point should be deducted. Abell’s biggest problem was the explosive power he possesses. He put his opponent out cold, rendering him unable to fight on. Most boxers in the state will never have to worry about that happening when they fight. We would all be left to ponder if a point should have been taken away in the first round, had most anyone in the state had been fighting instead.