Pavlik vs. Hopkins: Earl Morton Removed as Referee

By T.K. Stewart

Latest news out of Atlantic City, which has been solidly confirmed by this writer, and is also being reported by Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times, is that veteran referee Earl Morton who was scheduled to be the third man in the ring for the Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins fight on Saturday night will be replaced.

Pavlik's manager Cameron Dunkin, who has a stable of fighters with Pavlik as his shining star, has successfully lobbied the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board to have Morton removed as the referee.

The NJSAC has a brand new Executive Director in Aaron Davis who recently replaced Larry Hazzard who was removed from that position earlier this year and now works with the IBF.

Dunkin claims that Morton, who served admirably as the third man in the ring for the two Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward fights that took place at Boardwalk Hall, is a friend of Hopkins and that there was no way he was letting Pavlik in the ring with Morton as the ref.

"The word is that Morton is a friend of Hopkins' or they have some sort of a relationship," said Dunkin.

Dunkin told the Los Angeles Times that, "I have fighters from here [in New Jersey] and Philadelphia, I know what's going on."

As of Thursday evening there is no word on exactly whom the replacement referee will be. New Jersey has a deep pool of talented officials to draw from.

However, before the new referee is named they have to be cleared by both camps. A list of names has been sent to Bob Arum of Top Rank who promotes Pavlik and Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions who promotes Hopkins.

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