By Boxing Bob Newman
Veteran referee Tony Weeks conducted the referees’ seminar along with Danrex Tapdasan at the 41st Annual IBF Convention in Vietnam. Weeks and Tapdasan reviewed various aspects and principles of officiating.
Pre-Fight
Locker room instructions
Center ring instructions — both fighters at the same time
Fouls — “In the moment, you have to react based on your training!”
Intentional
Unintentional
Sole Arbiter Rule
Basis — In the Association of Boxing Commissions since 2001
Reason for the rule — Safety of the fighter
Emphasis on “sole” — Only decision-maker
“Captain of the ship” — Like a ship at sea, if the voyage fails, it is the responsibility of the captain
Fouls — Intentional and Unintentional
Five common fouls:
Holding
Use of the head
Kidney punches
Rabbit punches
Low blows
Disqualifications in Boxing
(Videos were shown.)
Referee Mechanics / Positioning
Research and study the fighters
Damage — Was any damage done by the foul?
Unfair advantage — Did the fouls cause an unfair advantage to one fighter?
Communication between the referee and the fighters
Read the fight — Does the fighter want a way out (via continuous fouling)?
Timing of a Stoppage
1.Research and study
Background and prior fights of the fighters
Matchmaking
Appearance during weigh-in
2. Read the fight
What round is it (early or late)?
One-sided or competitive?
Level of fight (four rounds or championship)
If there is a knockdown, how did the fighter fall?
3. Communication
4. A 10-count is not always necessary
5. Better to stop a fight early than late
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