By Kirk Jackson: We had a world class fight between two champions in Yuri Foreman and Miguel Cotto for the WBA Super Welterweight Title in the newly christened Yankee Stadium, and the fight was managed by a world class referee Arthur Mercante Jr.

His father Arthur Mercante Sr. is probably smiling down in approval of his son’s actions tonight, as the fight was in danger of being prematurely stopped in the 8th round when Foreman’s corner threw in the towel.

Concerned for their fighter’s deteriorating health after Foreman slipped and badly injured his knee in round 7. Foreman somehow found a way to finish and survive the round and would continue his fight in to round 8. With his corner growing even more concerned as time passed and the punishment on their fighter mounted, Foreman’s corner threw in the towel stopping the fight in round 8.

With the fight seemingly over as sides from both fighting camps exchanged pleasantries, Mercante cleared the ring and restarted the fight. Even though Foreman’s corner threw in the towel, Yuri being the champion he is wanted to continue fighting despite his injury. Under the state commission rules, only the referee is allowed to stop the fight, so Mercante showed his command and leadership clearing the ring and giving Foreman another chance to continue.

Arthur Mercante Jr. has shown decree in previous bouts, as he’s no stranger to rough fights, especially those involving one of tonight’s participant Miguel Cotto. Mercante was the 3rd man in the ring when Miguel Cotto has faced the likes of Zab Judah and Joshua Clottey. Both fights were rough, foul infested encounters, as there were numerous low blows and rabbit punches in bout between Judah and Cotto, and there was head butts, and wrestling take downs in the fight with Clottey and Cotto.

Even though Yuri Foreman would eventually succumb to the pressure of Miguel Cotto in the following round after Mercante restarted the fight, the special thing is Mercante gave the champion a chance to show the world what he is made of. Mercante gave the fans another opportunity to see a fight wage on inside the ring. Of course, he kept a watchful eye on Foreman, carefully gauging and seeing if the fighter could continue amidst all the punishment he was taking, but the point is he did what a great referred is supposed to do. Mercante cemented his professionalism and earned the respect of his peers, fans and the fighters with his actions tonight.