One-on-One with Joe Cortez

The “Fair But Firm” referee answers all your questions!

Joe Cortez is arguably one of the most recognizable referees in the world. The famed ring official has been involved in boxing for over 50 years, first as a teen Golden Gloves Champion, then as a pro boxer and currently as a referee for hundreds of world title fights. Just Google the name Joe Cortez and you will see thousands of references about this Hall of Fame referee.

It must also be said that the renowned “third man in the ring” has come under fire lately as he received widespread criticism regarding his decisions in the Humberto Soto-Francisco Lorenzo bout, the Hatton-Mayweather fight and the Hopkins-Calzaghe matchup. One more controversy added was when Juan Manuel Marquez recently stated that he did not want Cortez to referee his upcoming bout against Juan Diaz (taking place this Saturday in Houston, Texas).

In this exclusive interview, he addresses these latest issues as well as highlights from his five decades in and out of the ring. We visited with the Las Vegas resident at his home in Nevada. During our time with Joe he was very accommodating, making sure we were comfortable and giving us a tour of his house. He is a proud family man with photos of his wife, Sylvia, their three daughters and three grandchildren prominently placed around their living room and hallways.

He’s got his own mini-museum in his home; Cortez has a huge collection of his many achievements, accolades and accomplishments he has garnered through the years. Boxing history comes to life as I glance around the rooms. His office is chock full of photos with champions of the past and present, countless Academy Award-winning actors and several U.S. Presidents. Rare boxing mementos, baseball memorabilia, sports bronzes and paintings, touching reminders from the 911 World Trade Center tragedy in his beloved state of New York all jostle for space amidst his shelves and walls.

Walking into Cortez’s state-of-the art home gym–complete with a steam room, sauna, and full-sized boxing ring–I’m once again struck by an incredible display of framed photos, ring-worn referee shirts from championship fights, posters, collectible gloves and articles that chronicle his winning career.

Chatting with him in the gym, the veteran referee moves around as he talks, enthusiastically showing us quick pivots and sharp footwork that he says is necessary for his work in the ring. He explains that he stays in shape by working out in 30 minute sessions five times a week. This immaculate home gym also serves as a base for seminars where he teaches and trains aspiring ring officials the fundamentals and mastery of refereeing.

Boxing is what he’s best known for, but through the years Cortez has also worked in the hotel industry in Puerto Rico, owned a deli in New York and created a community outreach program with opthamologists in Chicago, New York, New Jersey and Nevada. He is now a motivational speaker and travels around the world teaching the skills and craft he has honed over his long and successful career. Cortez has more ambitious ideas in the works, including plans to market his own energy drink! And once he does decide to retire from the ring, the referee will stay busy; he’s brimming with plenty of new ideas for future endeavors. But until that day comes, Cortez’s passion for the sport is what keeps him on the canvas.

The New York City-born referee, who’s known for his signature phrase, “I’m fair but I’m firm,” answers all questions directed at him with his usual engaging, forthcoming and professional manner that he is known for. The Joe Cortez I spoke with in this candid conversation is unfailingly polite, caring, always entertaining and by far the most youthful 65-year-old you will ever meet!

Question: What do you attribute your successful career to?
Answer: Being an ex-fighter helps me see things better. I was in six Golden Gloves championships, had 19 pro fights and over 50 years experience in boxing. I like to enhance my ring official skills and go the extra yard. That’s what makes boxing so interesting.

Q: You boxed as a teen back in New York?
A: Yes. My brother Mike and I also fought and we were both in the New York Golden Gloves together. Back then no headgear was used. We fought in front of 12,000 and 15,000 people in championship fights and we both won. I won in different weight divisions, I fought at 112 pounds and as a 16-year-old at 118 pounds. I also won the Spanish Golden Gloves championships.

Q: And after the amateurs, you did go pro.
A: I considered going professional when Whitey Bimstein and Freddie Brown, who trained the great Gaspar “Indian” Ortega, told me I had the skills to do it. I had my last pro fight in 1971 in Puerto Rico. In 1969 I started working in the hotel industry in Puerto Rico; I was the Executive Manager for the El Conquistador in 1971. In 1977 to 1981 I worked in New York for the same corporation, the El San Juan Hotel. And I’ve also lived in Chicago, New York, Tijuana and Hawaii.

Q: How did you make the transition from fighter to referee?
A: I worked for six months in the New York City amateurs, PAL, and Golden Gloves. I remember seeing Juan La Porte in the Golden Gloves when he was just a kid. I refereed his championship fight in 1977 in the GG. This time was very special for me because I did the amateurs and then turned pro.

Q: What was your first pro fight that you refereed?
A: It was a couple of four-rounders in Harlem. Arthur Mercante and Tony Perez and I were the referees. That was my first coming out in the pros. Then my first World Championship fight was Aaron Pryor-Miguel Montilla fight in Atlantic City in 1982.

Q: What do you think about the current state of boxing?
A: For two or three decades now there haven’t been as many great fighters because old masters like Eddie Futch aren’t around anymore or trainers like Angelo Dundee are not as active. Fighters today–where did they learn their skills? Some trainers are not up to par. But there’s a handful of top-notch trainers out there are really good.

Q: What do you think makes a good trainer?
A: A combination of different ingredients. Good trainers have to be like psychologists, they have to get inside their fighter’s head.

Q: What do you think of today’s 12 rounds vs. the 15 rounds of yesteryear?
A: Anytime you climb up three steps into the ring, you’re already a champion! But fighters do get tired in later rounds so the 12 rounds is a good rule. Fatigue sets in later rounds and the fighter just takes more punishment.

Q: Who were your mentors early in your career?
A: Gaspar Ortega. I met him in the mid 50s when I was 12 years old. He moved in right next to my building. He didn’t speak English so I became his friend and interpreter! I’d go with him for his training with Freddie Brown, he had 175 professional fights and was a top contender for ten consecutive years. Later, I lived with Gaspar and his family in Tijuana. And Gaspar’s son (referee) Mike Ortega is my godson.

Q: Have you always loved boxing?
A: Yes, I was born to love boxing! My mom, who’s 96 years old now, she named me after Joe Louis. That’s where I got my name from.

Q: Your home is amazing. As an official you can’t socialize too much with the fighters, but have any retired boxers visited you here?
A: The only two fighters who have been to my house are Gaspar Ortega and Joe Frazier. Joe had a great time here when he came over.

Q: What are your highlights as a ring official?
A: I’ve worked in over 150 world championship fights but my favorites have to be the Roberto Duran-Iran Barkley fight. Also George Foreman-Michael Moorer, Tyson-Holmes, Hamed-Barrera and De La Hoya-Chavez, Bowe-Holyfield I count as favorites. And the Julio Cesar Chavez fights against Pernell Whitaker and also Greg Haugen too.

Q: Is there any competition between the referees?
A: If there is, it’s a friendly competition. It’s not who’s “the best”–I always say I want to be AMONG the best! A lot of the referees come to my house and work out with me. Mike Ortega, Kenny Bayless, Benjy Esteves (who just refereed the Cotto fight), Russell Mora, Robert Byrd, Mark Nelson (from Minnesota) and Tony Weeks come and work out when they have time. They’re great; when I retire maybe it will be the ones I’ve helped out who can take over!

Q: You’re working in the Stateline “Worlds Collide” show combining MMA and boxing in one night. How do you feel about MMA?
A: There is an MMA crossover that could help boxing. It’s bringing a lot of new fans to boxing.

Q: What did you think of the Antonio Margarito controversy? (Note: The hearing had not taken place yet when the interview was conducted).
A: I was shocked to hear it but it’s still under investigation. I thought of Panama Lewis and that drink, and Luis Resto with the no padding. I cannot believe it…if did happen, but it’s still under investigation. Whatever the authorities decide, it’s an administrative decision. I’m an official and I don’t get involved with that.

Q: You told me you’d like to respond to some of the criticism you received. Let’s start with the Hatton-Mayweather fight.
A: The British hate me because they think I didn’t give Hatton a chance to fight his fight, with the no clinching. It’s a judgment call. Then in the Hopkins fight, they think I let him get away with holding. If they lose, they blame the referee. People who know me, they say, “How can they say these things about me?” But people have short memories and I just have to go forward. You gotta have thick skin in this business. It’s not easy but it comes with the territory. It’s part of the sport. I’ll take the good with the bad.

Q: The Soto-Lorenzo fight?
A: In that fight, the fighter’s already hurt by a glancing blow on the back of the head. The fighter took punishment for four rounds, then he goes down on all fours, head facing the canvas. Soto takes one swipe with the right hand and misses, that was okay. But when he swung with the left hand behind his head, Lorenzo reacted and it’s my duty to call time and call in the ringside doctor to evaluate his condition. I did not know the effect of that blow because he was already hurt. The doctor said the fighter could not continue because of the concussive blow to the head. Once he said that, I knew that this was going to be a controversial decision. I go by the ABC rules that states a fighter causing injury loses by DQ if it’s a concussive blow behind the head. If I see a fighter in a concussive episode I have to call it. It’s the rules, my hands are tied. I had to DQ Soto and I knew it was an unpopular decision! To this day, people are still criticizing me saying it’s one of the worst decisions. But if they knew the rules, they’d see the whole picture. With being a referee, it’s the angles. That’s why the judges sit at different angles. We don’t have the luxury of instant replay. I’m only one person. People can’t crucify an individual for being human. The public who don’t know the rules are blaming me but I can’t change the rules. It’s a call that has to be made.

Q: And finally, the Juan Manuel Marquez controversy?
A: In the Pacquiao fight, he got knocked down three times in the first round. It was a discretionary call, a judgment call. They say I’m pro-Hispanic and then they say I’m against Hispanics. It’s unfair–I’m a professional referee and I don’t care if you’re red, green, black, whatever color you are. I deal with all races. I love helping people out; I love people from all walks of life, all fighters. I love Mexicans; my family and friends are Mexican. It hurts me deep inside that people say that. I’m NOT a racist or a “Mexican hater” and I hate to hear that crap!

Q: How do you handle the critics?
A: I don’t let things affect me. One of the magazines named me the “Worst Referee of 2008.” Another referee couldn’t deal with that but if that’s the way they feel then I’m going to show them they’re wrong. Maybe they were talking with emotions. I think with my head and not emotions. Some people understand, some people say I should pack it in and hang up my bow tie. You hear that and I hate to see people tarnishing my reputation because they don’t know the rules, but I respect their opinion.

Q: What inspires you to stay strong and positive through all the negativity?
A: I can deal with the immaterial things. My daughter Cindy is a quadriplegic (paralyzed from the chest down) and in a wheelchair, from an accident 12 years ago. But you know what? She never complains! My wife is a two-time breast cancer survivor and I am a prostate cancer survivor. That’s major. The other stuff? It’s minor.

Q: Cindy gets a lot of morale support from people you’ve met along the way.
Q: Yes! J.Lo and Marc Anthony, Eva Longoria, Mario Lopez, Denzel Washington,Bruce Willis, John Travolta, Christopher Reeve (who passed away), Demi Moore, Adam Rodriguez and many more and have offered words of inspiration. Cindy is now lending support, encouraging others who have been paralyzed so that they can continue on with their lives.

Q: You’ve met famous actors, Presidents, probably every current World Champion. Who else would you like to meet?
A: President Obama. I’d like to talk to him about stem cell research. I’m an advocate for that in regards to spinal-cord injuries, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s, all diseases. I go out and speak to different groups about stem cell research.

Q: Who is your all-time favorite fighter?
A: George Foreman. Because he showed his heart and compassion when he called my daughter Cindy to talk to her right after the accident.

Q: I know you also spend a lot of time with youth organizations and other charitable programs.
A: I go to New Jersey once a month to work with Aspira Inc. They have a boxing program in Newark. I go there cross country to mentor these kids for three days. I visit middle schools, high schools and detention centers to help get them on the right track. Also (referee) Tony Weeks is a prison guard in Victorville and I go there to talk to the maximum security prisoners. Some of them received their GEDs and I went there as a keynote speaker. And fighter Julian Jackson asked me to come out to St. Thomas next month and give a seminar to the officials there and I’m going to visit the schools while I’m there too.

Q: Tell me one thing about yourself that would surprise people?
A: I can throw a basketball behind my back like a hoop star! I discovered that I can toss it behind my back without looking and make the basket from 32 feet away! Maybe I’ll be in the Guinness Book of World Records. (He jokes). Really, I was with my grandsons and they filmed me. It’s even on youtube. (Joe then grabs his phone and downloads the link so I can see his impressive b-ball talents).

Toward the end of our interview, Ricky, one of his grandsons, stops by for a visit just to say hi to his grandpa and hang out. Cortez is extremely close to his family and also talks on the phone with one of his daughters in a break from our conversation. Boxing may be his lifelong passion, but it is obvious that his family is his number one priority as I watch him joke around with 16-year-old Ricky.

Cortez loves working with children’s charities and organizations and is happy to be in a position to assist others in need. He pulls out one of his game-worn referee shirts that is splattered with blood from the warriors in the ring. His official credential hangs over the blue shirt that he is planning to donate to a charity auction to help raise money for their cause. Cortez also is working on a project to bring awareness to the widows of the war in Iraq.

He may be misunderstood lately as the critics are quick to jump on him, but he is and always has been a compassionate man that continues to reach out to help others any way he can. There are many different angles to this referee. During our visit, Cortez takes time to call and check on a young fighter friend of his who was recently in the hospital. Joe wants to deliver some photos to the man to cheer him up. He explains to us the hardships the boxer has gone through and I can see that the referee is genuinely concerned about him and wants to help.

There are numerous others that sing the famous referees praises. “He’s great,” says Dawn Barry, owner of Barry’s Boxing Gym in Las Vegas, who first met Cortez over 20 years ago at a local fight. “We sometimes have up to 100 kids a day at our gym. We’re a non-profit organization with both amateurs and pros. Joe got interested in our gym and has been so supportive.”

Others vouch for his caring, thoughtful and generous nature. Las Vegas Governor Jim Gibbons’ wife Dawn is just one notable individual who raves about Cortez. “Joe is involved in so many of the same issues as I am. He’s a role model for kids,” she tells me. “He helps kids from broken homes and offers hope for the hopeless. He’s humble and inspirational. Joe is the kind of person who’s a great friend and he does so much for the community. He’s one of the shining stars in Clark County!”

Cortez has been bestowed with many honors through the years and was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007. On May 1, he will be receiving a “Men of Distinction” Award at the new Encore Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The “First Lady” Dawn Gibbons and CSI: Miami star Adam Rodriguez will be there in attendance with Cortez.

During our interview, Cortez smiles non-stop, acknowledging that his hard work has paid off but also telling me has no plans of slowing down now. Must be those energy drinks that he’s going to market soon! With no plans to retire any time soon–Cortez will continue to shine in and out of the ring, helping others, and keeping his positive outlook while letting everyone know that this referee remains “fair but firm”!

Photos courtesy of Joe Cortez, www.fairbutfirm.com, and Michele Chong: With mementos from his career; Battle-worn shirt from the ring; Vintage photo with brother; Joe in the ring; With grandson Ricky