First of all, the referee on April 23, did in fact warn Ira about the knee to the face. Secondly, I was at ringside and Ira struck with open palms to the face.
As far as medical attention, did you notice that the doctor was there as soon as your were called out? And yes, a pretty paramedic and she had back-up. Yes, thats right, count em, three trained medical personnel attending to you less than 10 seconds of you being out. So, the fact is that you received immediate medical attention! At every TKO event we have on hand a doctor and at least two paramedics as well as an ambulance. Safety comes first above everything else. I personally followed you out to the ambulance where you sat, you did not lay down. Having spoken with the paramedic on hand, they did not think that your injuries required an immediate rush to the hospital. The need to rush someone to the hospital is entirely up to the doctor on hand and/or both paramedics. You forgot to mention that I personally called you the next week and left a message inquiring how you were and I spoke to a woman whom I believe to be your mother while you sat in the ambulance.
In your post, Mr. Hawkins, you stated, “After the fight the people at Renegades waited till everyone left before they took me to the hospital.” as if to imply that someone purposely held up the ambulance from leaving. You have got to be kidding! Cmon, lets face it, you fought a good fight and you lost. Stop whining and blaming everyone else. And last, it probably did seem as everyone was leaving because you were the next to the last bout and the last bout only took a minute. As far as Renegades not helping, you know Sauls number, you could have called him, but you didnt!
As long as I am addressing TKO subjects:
The Molina vs. Long match is officially a no contest due to weight difference. TKO totally dropped the ball on that bout. Stricter weight enforcement at all TKO events from now on and there will be NO EXCEPTIONS . A weight divisions list will be sent to all trainers upon request.
As for the Aniel Cortez vs. Zulfi Ahmed bout. When the referee waves off a bout and says thats enough, then the bout is over, period. No matter if there are only three seconds left in the round. Fighter safety comes first, no exceptions. Although the crowd did get irate, I thought Zulfi handled the whole thing with class and seemed to take it all in stride.
The Nolasco vs. Thompson bout in Fight Night VII was a draw. The scorekeeper did not deduct the penalty point from the scorecards.
Steve Armstrong
Texas Kickfighting Organization