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Harper Cheat or champ?
Borrowed a pals computer to ask a couple of questions from you experts.
Can anyone explain the rules re-ankle supports?
On Sunday the 22nd I attended the show, and watched with interest. After the Harper Wakeling fight they were interviewed. Sadly Harper had a rant about how good he is and everyone picking on him on the Net. I believe he was the only fighter to start swearing on camera, most fighters thanked the opponent, the crowd and were respectful, polite modest ambassadors of the sport. Not Harper.
I think it was Wakelings coach/father who made a comment about the tape on Harpers shins.
Harper had tape running half way up the front of his shin and around the lower half of his calf. It was clearly visible above the elastic ankle supports he also wore.
Clearly it had no effect on the out come of this much anticipated and sadly short rematch. But had the fight gone the five rounds how much protection would it of given Harper and would it not be an advantage. The tape is clearly there as protection for the striking area of his shin thus providing I would suggest valuable advantage should the fight go the distance.
When challenged by Wakeling coach/dad, Harper looked aggrieved that anyone should question him about it. He aggressively snapped back the reply 'well everyone wears it'. This is surely not the case. None of the Thai fighters or any of the other fighters on the bill had tape half way up and around their shins.
So is it legal?
At best Harper appears to be stretching the meaning of 'ankle support'.
At worst he is cheating.
Which is it?
Again I state the tape had no bearing on the result of this fight, but if Wakeling had the same may be his leg would of been ok. What next, maybe a strip of metal up the front of the shin. Only as ankle support of course.