Best/Worst Refs?

[BigStereotype]

Halpern was a fine ref. Was it ever discovered why he committed suicide?

I didn't realize he had, that's tragic...maybe longstanding guilt over the Garcia/Ruelas fight? I know it was later, but I've heard of similar stories in other fights where a fighter was killed.

[JAB5239]

I didn't realize he had, that's tragic...maybe longstanding guilt over the Garcia/Ruelas fight? I know it was later, but I've heard of similar stories in other fights where a fighter was killed.

He's been dead since 2000.Doesn't seem like that long ago. Wikipedia say his suicide was the result of domestic problems.

[BigStereotype]

He's been dead since 2000.Doesn't seem like that long ago. Wikipedia say his suicide was the result of domestic problems.

I did see that, but that's very very vague. Not saying it's not true, it's just not necessarily correct, either. But I really feel slimy speculating about a man's suicide.

[GJC]

Not 100% but I think it was Holmes who said the best referee was one who could count to 10 without stuttering

For my money as in most sports the better a refereee is the less you notice them, I hate fussy referees who think that there are 3 people the crowd want to see.
Off the top of my head I can't think of many better than Arthur Mercante

[Scott9945]

Worst referee in boxing? Randy Neumann.

[The Surgeon]

Out of active refs? This wont go down well but Merchante Jnr! I think he's top drawer and wants the fans to get their moneys worth.

After him its gotta be Bayless then Smoger, Smoger im a fan of because he's not a ref who jumps in too quickly but he knows when enough is enough but Steve does things that annoy me too like in the Cotto vs Malinaggi fight he kept saying "Dance Paullie Dance!" and "Run Paullie Run!" lol

[The Surgeon]

Oh and worst i'll say Cortez. He has had alot of bad nights now

[TBear]

I used to like Cortez as a ref but anymore I don't want to see him in big fights. He favors stars.
And Bayless and even the late Halpern were not so good in their early careers. Halpern(rest his soul) looked pretty confused when Julio C. Green fought Lonnie Beasley. And Bayless had a few very early stoppages and confused moments himself. Steele was good pre-Chavez-Taylor and Tyson-Ruddock but lost it after a few bad/questionable calls. I liked Arthur Mercante Sr. but junior is not as good. I like ex heavy contender Randy Neuman and Smoger though Smoger is getting a bit old for the job and the retired no nonsence Mills Lane was good under presure.