Reflecting on being a world class WBC Referee

As a referee,  striving to rise from local level to championship stratosphere is a Herculean labor.

You have to know what you’re doing and getting to the top takes a long time.  Frank Garza, who’s one of the World Boxing Council’s finest and most experienced Referees, led a riveting seminar at the WBC Asian Summit and WBC third Women’s Convention in Manila.  He was alongside Edward Collantes.  Another very experienced referee, who’s also an excellent, thoughtful, resourceful, intelligent communicator and a patient logical teacher in this multi complex topic.

Together, they set out a criteria to test the mettle of referees, enabling and enticing them to dip into the tool box of resources, to gain the polish and burnish to shine,  while representing the honor and the colors of Green and Gold.

Many years ago, as a boxing trainer, Frank railed against a boxing judge about a controversial fight, only to get the rule book literally thrown at him.  He picked it up, apologized to the judge and got on the right lines by reading it, to realize, that the boxing world horizon is not confined to winning and losing.

Frank explains that to a referee, it should not matter which fighter  wins or who loses. At the end of that day: “You have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror. That’s what it’s all about.”

The WBC’s Code of Ethics sets out strict, but fair and common sense guidelines.  No ring official shall hint, or officially solicit any promoter, trainer, fighter or ring commissioner, in order to be appointed to any WBC title fight.

No ring official shall accept a gift of significant value from a manager, trainer or fighter. No ring official shall in any manner criticize the performance  of any other official. Or publically criticize the appointment of any other ring official, for a WBC fight. No contact with manager, trainer, promoter or fighter, except when accompanied by the WBC Supervisor.

No ring official should engage in any conduct to discredit.  Or place wagers of any type on any event.  And…no gambling or drinking after midnight,  the night before the fight.

As WBC Ring Official’s Chairman Hubert Minn commented: “Take care of your name. Then you’ll be fine.”

The position of a referee commands power, but with power comes responsibility.  The last thing Peter Parker’s Uncle told him.  Superb advice for Superman, and for us too.

The prime objective of a referee is to protect the boxers and insure the integrity of the sport, by minimizing risk. The referee is the sole arbiter and the sole individual authorized to stomps contest. This demands ethics, integrity and doing it right.

A world class referee must be decisive, needing to process and interpret the set of factors quickly. In other words reaction, but also taking steps to cogently and clearly communicate the decision. This includes safety, enforcement and control of the boxers.

Also knowing the dangerous knockdowns.  When the back of the head strikes the canvass, a face forward knockdown, when a boxer  loses muscle control and collapses. And when the neck strikes the bottom or middle rope during the knockdown.

Pre fight research involving, consideration of age, looking  up and watching  past fights.  Recent  record of Ko’s and TKO’s in the last two years. Number of overall rounds. Call referees of previous bouts. Soft and hard warnings, plus locker room instructions. Edward Collantes stresses: “This is where control begins. Read the rules and employ the mechanics.”