Tag Archives: referee

amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

World Class referee….. Tom Cleary     USA Boxing Alumni Association, Class of 2018 Inductee

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 12, 2018) – The late Tom Cleary was one of the most respected referees in the world during his illustrious career. He joins a select group in the Class of 2018 getting inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

The second annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception, held in conjunction with the 2018 USA Boxing Elite and Youth National Championships and Junior and Prep Open, December 2-8, will be held December 7, at the Radisson Hotel (215 S. Temple St.) in Salk Lake City, Utah.

 

 

 

In addition to Cleary, the Class of 2018 also includes U.S. Olympic Team medalists and world (professional) champions Roy Jones, Jr., Andre Ward and Claressa Shields, as well as a past USA Boxing National Director of Coaching, the late Emanuel Steward.

 

 

 

The charter class inducted last year included Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield, as well as veteran coaches Roosevelt Sanders and Tom Coulter.

 

 

 

A longtime resident of Westchester, Ohio, Cleary was a USA Boxing member since 1982, and he served as Chief of Officials for the National Collegiate Boxing Association from 2002 until his passing May 21, 2017.

 

 

 

He refereed in 12 different countries, on four continents, as an International Official assigned by AIBA. Tom earned a three-star rating and he was selected to work the World Series of Boxing.

 

 

 

“Tom’s dedication to amateur boxing and respect he garnered from boxers, coaches and fellow officials are second to none,” said Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Executive Director. “The Alumni Association emphatically endorsed his case for the Hall of Fame, and his induction was received both by those close to him, as well as the entire amateur boxing community. Tom’s commitment to serving USA Boxing provides a great example for all of us and we couldn’t be prouder to call him a member of this year’s Hall of Fame class.”

 

 

 

Tom never forgot where he came from, dedicating countless hours to the youth of Cincinnati, in addition to helping boxing clubs run efficiently throughout his community for more than a quarter-century.

 

 

 

The 2017 NCBA Official of the Year, Tom worked local, regional, national, International, world and Olympic levels of boxing. Highlights included working numerous U.S. National Championships, four U.S. Olympic Trials (2000, 2004, 2008 & 2012) and the 2007 World Championships in Chicago.

 

 

 

“When I was a young coach at the Air Force Academy,” USA Boxing coach Ed Weichers commented, “we needed to replace an AIBA top notch referee who was retiring. We were looking for a highly qualified person and Tom Cleary was recommended. He came out the next 25 years straight. Tom was one of the best referees. He cared so much about the safety of the boxers and Tom was also a valuable mentor.

 

 

 

“Tom was a wonderful man who everybody loved. He administered referee clinics in the United States and always helped those in need, youngsters and adults. Tom’s work in the Cincinnati area influenced so many boxers and coaches for more than 25 years. We dearly miss him.”

 

 

 

 

USA Boxing Alumni Association

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.

 

 

 

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events host by the Alumni Association, including the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.

 

 

 

To join the Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain and e-wallet.

 

 

 

 

Tom is survived by his wife, Diane, their two children and eight grandchildren.

 

 

 

Tom Cleary’s leadership and mentor-ship inspired all those who were fortunate enough to meet him. He cared passionately about the boxers he shared the ring with, offering words of advice before, during and after bouts.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

boxing

HALL OF FAME BOXING REF JOE CORTEZ JOINS DEVIN HANEY PROMOTIONS

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LAS VEGAS, NV (September 20, 2018) – Undefeated boxing sensation, Devin “The Dream” Haney (19-0, 13 KOs), has brought on Hall of Fame Boxing referee Joe Cortez to serve as the team’s official boxing consultant. Cortez, who is known globally for refereeing some of boxing’s most memorable fights, will guide Devin Haney Promotions as the young phenom ascends in his career.

 

 

With over 50 years of boxing experience under his belt, as a fighter, trainer and referee, Cortez possesses a plethora of knowledge that is invaluable. Cortez won several NYC Golden Glove Championships as an amateur, went (18-1) as a professional, and refereed over 175 world championship fights as a ref. Presently employed by Disney as a Boxing Analyst for ESPN since 2013, Joe is thrilled to be part of Devin Haney Promotions and will be accompanying Devin in Temecula, CA, for his upcoming fight September 28th against Juan Carlos Burgos, televised live on Showtime.

 

 

 

“I really believe Devin can be the next superstar in boxing,” said Joe Cortez. “I’m going to make sure everything is perfect going into each and every fight. I’ve been in the sport of boxing for many years and I know what to look out for. I’ll be working with Devin Haney and his team as a boxing consultant and help guide him to be one of the greats in boxing.”

 

 

 

“I’ve known Joe Cortez since I was a young amateur and I have the utmost respect for him,” said Devin Haney. “He brings a lot of knowledge and experience to Devin Haney Promotions.  When building a great team, you need extraordinary team players, and Joe Cortez is certainly one of the best in the business.  It’s an honor to have him on my team.”

boxing, USA Boxing

Hall of Fame referee Steve Smoger successfully transitioned from amateur to pro boxing

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 13, 2018) — Hall of Fame referee Steve “Double S” Smoger, arguably the most recognizable and respected official in boxing history, holds the unique distinction of officiating in more states and countries than any of his peers.

 

 

 

Smoger ranks among the top six all-time, No. 2 American, in terms of most pro boxing matches officiated (1015), including an incredible 220 world time matches. He has been a referee in some of the greatest boxing matches ever – Vernon Forrest-Shane Mosley, Bernard Forrest-Felix Trinidad, Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor, Roy Jones, Jr.-Hopkins, Micky Ward-Emanuel Burton, Andre Ward-Carl Froch and Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito II among the most notable.

 

 

 

Also, Smoger has refereed matches featuring a Who’s Who of Boxing: Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield. Roberto Duran, Hector Camacho Sr., James Toney, Mike McCallum, Vinny Paz, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Arturo Gatti, Felix Trinidad, Diego Corrales, Gennady Golovkin, Lucia Rijker, Christy Martin and so many others..

 

 

 

In addition to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Smoger has also been inducted into four other Hall of Fames in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Atlantic City.

 

 

 

As a youngster, Smoger got hooked on boxing, primarily because his father was an “awesome fan”, who religiously watched the popular Friday night boxing series, Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, with his son. Steve’s father told him that boxing was the last version of will and skill, one-on-one, to determine the better man that night.

 

 

 

Smoger said he was too small to play football, too short for basketball, so he became a cross-country runner in high school. A friend invited Smoger to the local YMCA in New Jersey to get checkout its boxing program. Only one day working with a pro boxer was enough for Steve to realize that being a boxer wasn’t for him. But he still loved boxing.

 

 

 

After he started refereeing amateur matches in southern New Jersey and Delaware, Smoger got the break of his life that dramatically changed his life. “Everything in life is timing,” Smoger explained. “The gentleman who gave George Foreman the small American that he proudly waved after winning a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics, Pat Duffy, opened a gym in southern Jersey. I told him that I wanted to train as a referee. I trained under the great Frank Cappuccino and then had to honor to train with Zach Clayton. He trained to music so referees moved without being herky-jerky. In 1978, I started officiating then-AAU boxing and worked out of the Atlantic City PAL gym, which remains a vibrant amateur boxing club. I’m still there 40 years later, serving on its Board of Directors, and I’m also its legal counsel.

 

 

 

“Then, the boxing gods shined on me. Casinos were coming to Atlantic City in 1978 and boxing was involved at all the casinos there. I was the district attorney in Atlantic City, so after work I went to the PAL gym to workout with the kids. One day, the phone rang in the gym. Nobody else was there, so I answered. It was the New Jersey Boxing Commissioner, ‘Jersey’ Joe Walcott, who asked me who was in charge. I said that, at that time, I was in charge. He said there was a pro show that night and they were short of inspectors. He said that they need somebody to watch the hand wrapping. I told him I was well versed in hand wrapping and that was it, I was hired to work that show and they gave me the royal treatment.”

 

 

 

“Walcott’s chief second was Chief Roy Johnson, who Walcott brought into the state commission. He hired me in 1982 as a probationary referee. Two years later, I was a licensed referee and, as they say, the rest is history.”

 

 

 

Today, Smoger is still a very active referee, traveling around the world to officiate, as well as co-chairman of the International Boxing Association (IBA) officials, and a valued USA Boxing Alumni Association advisor. Steve has made several appearances at Alumni Association gatherings across the country.

 

 

 

“I am honored to be the ‘unofficial’ representative of all officials who’ve made the transition from amateur to pro boxing,” Smoger commented. “I’m the only active referee (Alumni Association advisor) who made the transition from the amateur to the pro level.

 

 

 

“The accent has always been No. 1, on boxers, and No. 2, coaches. USA Boxing is the best group I’ve ever been associated with and, for me personally, I’ve seen what amateur boxing does for kids in this country. They learn under difficult circumstances, through boxing, to successfully reach different levels in life. I enjoy watching the development of youths who go through the USA Boxing program and do very well.

 

 

 

“Boxing enables boxers. My accent is on youths, to watch them grow and develop, not turn pro, to better their lives.”

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing
boxing, Ring 8

Referee and retired boxer Randy Neumann Ring 8 Guest Speaker Tuesday, May 16

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NEW YORK CITY (May 14, 2017) – Referee/retired boxer Randy Neumann (31-7, 11 KOs) Randy Neumann will be Ring 8’s guest speaker at its mnthly meeting this coming Tuesday night, May 16 (7 p.m. ET start), at O’Neill’s Restaurant, located at 64-21 53rd Drive, Maspeth, NY 11378.
Ring 8’s May meeting is sponsored by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank.
“Ring 8 is fortunate to have such a fascinating speaker this month who will share his vast experience with us,” Ring 8 president Jack Hirsch said.  “Randy Neumann was a heavyweight of note in the 1970’s who boxed a main event at Madison Square Garden against Jerry Quarry. Later he would become one of the best-known referees in boxing working major fights involving Mike Tyson and other champions.”
ABOUT RING 8:  Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.
RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.
Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August.  All active boxers, amateur and professional, with a current boxing license or book are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership.  Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.
boxing, charity, Raging Babe, women's boxing

RAGING BABE BRUNCH NEW YORK, NEW YORK A SUCCESS, DUVA HONORED 

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NEW YORK – June 28, 2016 – Inspiration was in the air June 11th as the women of boxing gathered at Seven Bistro for The Raging Babe Brunch, New York, New York, Raging Babe Events’ seventh gathering of its kind, designed to break barriers and leverage contacts to conduct business and build friendships. The gathering was the first in New York City, and drew a slew of “Raging Babes,” who together honored Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva. Included in those who attended were former NYSAC Chairwoman Melvina Lathan, Referee Sparkle Lee, IFBA World Flyweight Champion Eileen Olszewski, WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Alicia Ashley, four-time National Boxing Champion Melissa St. Vil, IWBF World Super Featherweight Champion, Ronica Jeffrey and guest speaker John Femiano of John Francis LLC.
After a rousing introduction by “Raging Babe” Michelle Rosado, attendees brunched and networked, with Frank Sinatra crooning in the background, sharing their triumphs and business cards. “The brunch is so much more than just a breakfast event,” said Rosado. “The connections forged here have resulted in business collaborations and friendships. What started as an annual event, has grown, and I can easily see us gathering quarterly, all over the country.”
Post brunch, the time had come to honor one of boxing’s trailblazers, Kathy Duva, who was presented the Raging Babe Luminary Award. Among those who shared stories of Duva’s boxing growth and dominance was Main Events’ Vice President of Operations, Joleen Mizzone, who has worked side-by-side with Duva for 19 years. Although she couldn’t attend in person due to being in California with three of Main Events’ fighters, Mizzone had colorful, but moving words for her friend and colleague. “Kathy Duva has been through a lot in her life. I have seen her overcome so much in these past 19 years. I remember thinking to myself, “Wow she is one of the strongest people I know!” She has inspired me to be the person I am in this business. Her morals and eye for this business are [expletive] extraordinary.
“One of the secrets to happiness is the innocent enjoyment of simple things,” said first-time brunch attendee and former NYSAC Chairwoman Melvina Lathan as she described the event. “With that in mind, how wonderful to share a moment in time with a group of women, dining,, conversing, and laughing, all the while emanating beauty, power, grace and joy, without even trying. It was intimate, genuine and loads of fun, especially the reading of the infamous congratulatory letter submitted by Jolene!”
“This was another inspiring event in one of the greatest cities in the world,” said Rosado of the brunch. “There was so much talent, so much heart, so much passion, and so much boxing knowledge contained in these four walls. There were lovers, fighters, survivors, and I sincerely hope that the connections they made on that day result in amazing business collaborations and lifelong friendships.  I’m so grateful for everyone who attended, and to Kathy Duva, for being an example for all women in the industry.”
The Raging Babe Brunch is made possible by the generous support of several organizations. “The Raging Babe brunches are labor of love for me,” said Rosado.  “They aren’t meant to put money in anyone’s pocket – on contrary, and the cost has often fallen far short of sponsor contributions.  I want to take this opportunity to truly, from my heart, thank the organizations that make it possible for these events to continue.  These organizations, by virtue of their partnership, celebrate and support the women of boxing, and the spirit of these events. From my heart, and the hearts of the women who attended New York, New York, thank you World Boxing Organization (WBO), War Tape, Box Stats, Boss Case, World Boxing Council (WBC), John Francis LLC and Youth Fighting Forward.
mixed martial arts, MMA

The FNU Combat Sports Show With MMA Referee Kevin MacDonald

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Kevin MacDonald is one of the most knowledgeable and professional referees in Mixed Martial Arts. Just last Sunday he was the third man in the cage for three fights on the UFC Fight Night 81: Dillashaw vs. Cruz card. Our interview covers a wide range of topics, from rule and weight class changes on the horizon to a few behind-the-scenes glimpses into the UFC’s operations. Psychic Tom Padgett and Rabble Rousin’ Rich Bergeron also recap the past week’s combat sports events (including Szpilka vs. Wilder and Cruz vs. Dillashaw) and preview the next UFC event headlined by Anthony Johnson vs. Ryan Bader.

boxing, UK Boxing

Legendary Referee Mickey Vann To Officiate MBC’s Inaugural Scottish Event This Saturday

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Legendary globe trotting Championship referee Mickey Vann will be making one of his shortest international journeys in a long while, this coming weekend, when he officiates the first Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) sanctioned event in Scotland, the Stewart Allan promoted event at the Rivals Gym in Wishaw on Saturday 25th April 2015.

 

Vann, who has been the MBC’s chief referee since 2013, has been officiating for close to forty years, the first bout he refereed was Eddie Smith versus Joe Jackson at the Anglo American Sporting Club in Manchester on the 11thOctober 1976.

 

It would be some seven years later before Vann refereed his first domestic Championship bout, the BBBofC Central Area Featherweight Title fight between Steve Pollard and Steve Farnsworth at the Tiffany’s Nightclub in Hull on the 29th March 1983.

 

Three years later Vann refereed his first International Championship contest, the Commonwealth Lightweight Title fight between Zimbabwe’s Langton Tinago and Australia’s Graeme Brooke at the Granada Studios in Manchester on 23rd August 1986.

 

With numerous British, Commonwealth and European title contests under his belt on the 8th June 1990 Vann refereed his first World Championship bout, the WBC World Minimumweight title fight between Japan’s Hideyuki Ohashi and Thailand’s Napa Kiatwanchai in Tokyo, Japan.

 

To date Vann has refereed one hundred and forty three International, Inter-Continental and World title contests for the World Sanctioning Organisations, such as WBC, WBO, IBF, WBU etc as well as an even higher number of European, Commonwealth, British and Irish domestic title fights during his eight hundred and eighty two bout career to date.

 

The most recent of these bouts being the WBO Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title fight between Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and Russian Andry Knyazev, which took place in Kiev just last weekend.

 

In addition Vann has also judged one hundred and seventy three Championship contests since 1978, taking his officiating career total to an incredible one thousand and fifty five contests, sorry make that one thousand and fifty six contests if we include the upcoming event this weekend.

 

Shortly after returning from Kiev, the effervescent Vann spoke briefly about his career and the upcoming event he is to officiate in Scotland on Saturday.

 

“What can I say I didn’t realise I’d refereed that many fights,

 

My most memorable fight would naturally be Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno at Cardiff Arms Park, that was history.

 

But have refereed so many memorable fights, where do I start, Shea Neary and Mickey Ward, now that was a great fight.

 

There’s some from years ago I can remember, like Jean-Marc Renard against Farid Benredjeb, oh what a war that was, they both ended up in hospital.

 

Another memorable fight was Cassius Boloyi against Phillip Ndou, It was a war, an absolute war

 

They were two South Africans but from different tribes, they wanted me to referee it, not a South African, which was very much appreciated.

 

I remember refereeing the WBC mandatory Lightweight title fight, between Leavander Johnson and Miguel Angel Gonzalez, in a bullring, which was an experience.

 

I refereed in America Jorge Paez and Angel Manfredy, that was a terrific fight, in fact refereed three or four times in America.

 

I think if you count them all I think I refereed in thirty nine different countries, I left school at seven and went back at thirteen and left again at fourteen and I didn’t know at that time that there were that many countries in the world. I didn’t, honestly.

 

I just enjoy what I do, you know I’ve been to Russia, Argentina, Japan, all over, I just got back from Kiev.

 

People come up for photographs, even in Kiev, with Mickey the dancer and then they pretend they are you moving about, it’s lovely.

 

I pick out nothing really, I just pick out what has been the big fights that I’ve enjoyed.

 

I qualified as a star grade referee in 1978 and I’m still going, I’d done hundreds of fights by then, it’s not a job really, it’s just enjoyment as such.

 

I wasn’t a very good pro fighter, I was a pretty good amateur, I had sixty six fights as an amateur and lost nineteen, but you used to have three fights a day in the Championships, you fought in the morning, won that you fought in the afternoon and if you won that you fought at night to get through to the next round, in the Army Championships and the boys clubs sort of thing, that’s what we all did.

 

As a pro I have fourteen fights but I lost nine, but I enjoyed it, I’m glad I turned pro and I’m glad I fought, I’m glad I fought amateur and pro and I missed it when I retired and I wanted to do something and my manager suggested I referee, I wanted to coach but Tommy Miller, my manager said to me ‘Jesus Mick what could you teach anyone’, so he said to me you want to be a referee, so I put in for it and it took me two years and I qualified.

 

I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and some times have been better than others, in fact they used to hate me in Scotland, they thought I hated the Scots. I heard this on the radio many times.

 

Alex Morrison will tell you, he thought I was hater of Scotsmen, I wasn’t, just they never seemed to get the verdict from me, so it’s quite ironic that this Saturday it’s the Scottish promoter and the Scottish boxers that asked for me for this show.

 

I’ve always had great fun there and my all time favourite fighter is a Scotsman, Ken Buchanan, so it’s really nice that they want me to be there for the first MBC sanctioned event there, I can’t wait.”

 

Mickey Vann will be the referee for both the Sandy Robb versus Mathew Ellis and Scott Allan versus Isaac Quaye that co-headline the Stewart Allan (Rivals Promotions) event at the Rivals Gym in Wishaw, Scotland on Saturday 25th April 2015.

 

Tickets priced £30 and £40 are available direct from any of the boxers taking part, or call Stewart on 07711 725257.

Sanctioning for this event will be provided courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) – For further information on the Malta Boxing Commission please go to:

Web: www.maltaboxingcommission.com

Twitter @MaltaBoxingComm

Facebook www.facebook.com/MaltaBoxingCommission

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/malta-boxing-commission

E.mail: admin@maltaboxingcommission.com