Joe Cortez was overrated as a REf!

[powerpuncher]

Do people rate him highly? He has never been very good

[greynotsoold]

In general, the quality of referees began to go down hill as referees developed their own catch phrases and such. They started to think that they were part of the show, that people came to see them.

[Master]

In general, the quality of referees began to go down hill as referees developed their own catch phrases and such. They started to think that they were part of the show, that people came to see them.

Except firm but fair Mills Lane who was on the whole very good.

[Spicoli]

Agree, anytime you have a referee standing between the two fighters saying " I'M firm but I'M fair" you know he'll be looking for the cameras to get his cameos. It's not about you ref and we prefer you invisible. Mercante Jr the same way. Major league unofficial 3rd participant who no one paid to see.

[Mark TKO]

Mills Lane was a legend.


Let’s get it on

[THE THIRD MAN]

The best referees are the ones you don't notice are there...i don't like the glory hounds, sticking their nose in where it isn't warranted. Let them fight i say!

[Memphis]

I've said this before but Mills Lane had a terrible terrible habit of putting his hands on fighters without calling break. Constantly trying to rip one fighters arm from a clinch, essentially making them defenceless on one side. I hated him doing that, dangerous and stupid.

The referee should be as invisible as possible, but they're not. As mentioned they have their own catchphrases, there's footage of them prefight talking to fighters, we have graphics on screen telling us their notable assignments (not sure if that still happens to be honest). They have a very important job but lets not promote it to equal billing with the fighters.