Meet some of the “unsung heroes” of the sport!

As the new year gets underway, I want to take time to give a shout out to an integral part of every professional fight that takes place in the ring: the often unheralded–but sometimes criticized–officials. These referees, judges, supervisors, and timekeepers of the fight game are the first to arrive at the matches and usually the last to leave after the bouts have long ended.

Since they tend to keep a professional low profile most of the time, boxing fans don’t seem to pay attention to the “third men” in the ring or to the three judges sitting at the apron. But when there are controversial fights, these same officials are often the first ones the fighters and fans blame.

But behind their bow ties and the starched button-down shirts is a stalwart group that loves the sweet science.

I’ve met many of these loyal veterans in boxing and, when they are not working ringside, I’ve gotten to see their personalities off the canvas too.

At the recent 49th WBC World Convention, there was a huge pool of officials that converged in Las Vegas to participate in the many judges and referee seminars that occurred during the historic gathering hosted by the World Boxing Council’s Jose Sulaiman and Mauricio Sulaiman.

This annual event, held this year at the Mandalay Bay, was attended by thousands of boxing aficionados from all over the world. Surrounded by over 100 world champs, the WBC Convention was a pound-for-pound KO success.

And it was a reunion for many of the officials who had a chance to catch up with one another. This is one busy group; several of the officials had just come from working fights and a few were on their way to their next assignment. Vegas referee Kenny Bayless worked the Marco Antonio Rubio vs. Matt Vanda match that was featured toward the end of the convention; Texas’ Laurence Cole told me he was traveling to Oklahoma next and California’s Max De Luca had an exotic location lined up. De Luca (the 2010-2011 WBC Judge of the Year) was assigned to the December 23 Bangkok, Thailand fights.

During my time at the convention, I chatted with some of the officials, WBC Board of Governors, chairpersons, supervisors, and officers, and members of various athletic commissions. All had one thing in common: their love of pugilism and their respect of the game.

Hailing from different states and countries, all shared a bond through boxing.

WBC Supervisors Rudy Tellez and Craig Hubble were two of the friendly ambassadors who made everyone feel welcome at the convention. Rudy is a veteran of attending conventions all around the globe and is known in boxing circles as the “Mouthpiece Doctor.” He greeted the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez and his son, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. during the gala along with the steady stream of world titleholders that came through the doors.

Fellow WBC Supervisor Hubble had a great time reconnecting with his fellow officials. He introduced me to NABF’s Rex Walker (boxing’s favorite “cowboy”) who was very excited about all the new and talented WBC youth champions on the rise.

Throughout the ratings and committee meetings, seminars, ceremonies and festivities, there was boxing business conducted as well as new relationships formed.

Two female pioneers also stood out in the crowd: WBC, NABF and WBC Cares’ Jill Diamond and referee Sparkle Lee are two of the hardest working women in the field. During the convention, the ladies continued to blaze trails along the way. Diamond took a group of over 20 champions to visit the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Club to surprise the kids. And through Jill, I met three boxers on the come up, unbeaten British heavyweight David Price, WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight champ Chauncy Welliver and WBC Continental Americas Middleweight titlist George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah.

I also had a great time talking to Denver, Colorado referee/judge Stephen Blea and Raylene Carbone, a knockout pair who have worked tirelessly with the WBC Cares program. During the week, Blea received a well-deserved award from the nonprofit organization which helps children around the world.

Also seen during the annual event were Nevada State Athletic Commission’s Keith Kizer, WBC Supervisors Bonnie Martinez Richardson and Dr. Joe Noriega, officials Russell Mora, David Mendoza, Benjamin Rendon, Monique Rendon, Craig Metcalfe, Tom Taylor, Marcos Rosales, Mike Griffith, Jack Reiss, just to name a few.

Boxing is a close-knit fraternity with the “six degrees of separation” always hovering in the air. Everyone seems to have some connection somehow to those you meet through the sport.

During one of the events, referee Jack Reiss had one of those moments. I was sitting with famed referee Arthur Mercante’s widow, Gloria and their son, James Mercante. I introduced Jack to the pair and he shared a fun bit of trivia with us. Reiss had actually portrayed the Hall of Fame referee Arthur Mercante in the film, “Ali” and enjoyed talking to the legend’s wife and son.

It was also a family affair for the Cole crew from Dallas. Laurence Cole told me about three generations of Coles taking part in the Vegas convention.

There were so many highlights from the convention and Laurence spoke what a special time it was for everyone there.

His own highlight was combining his own family with his boxing family.

“Seeing my parents, Dickie and Jo Ann Cole, visit with so many longtime friends was a highlight,” Laurence said. “My father is currently the Texas Combative Sports Commissioner/Coordinator and also a former WBC Ratings Chairman, NABF President and ring official.”

Cole also had the chance to show one of his kids a championship time while in Las Vegas. “I got to introduce my youngest son Max to so many friends that I have made over my years associated with the sport. He met people from over 30 countries. I love seeing him grow into a young man and how he interacts with so many people from so many backgrounds!”

From countries all over the universe to everyone with their diverse backgrounds, the connection between everybody at this year’s WBC Convention was the one-two punch we all took part in.

Here are some of my snapshots of the officials, supervisors, and chairpersons during the WBC celebration.

Usually behind the scenes or keeping their stance in the ring, these men and women working in boxing got a chance to reconnect during the mega event.

Photos by Michele Chong