2015 IBHOF Inductee Steve Smoger: Gentleman Of Boxing
Referee Steve Smoger, International Boxing Hall of Fame 2015 inductee, is a spectacular consummate gentleman, the conspicuous ‘man in the middle’, who is unafraid to get involved, who has made his presence felt in the most difficult of boxing contests.
The true mark of a great professional boxing referee is to do their thing while maintaining control of the ring. Steve has made his indelible mark by remaining prominent as the referee in many important world class title contests, and will continue to do so.
A municipal judge and Air Force Reserve Colonel, Steve is second to Mills Lane in worldwide recognition by boxing historians. The key to qualifying Steve’s legacy is that his presence has historical significance.
Steve’s career began on June 12, 1984, refereeing a four round welterweight bout between C.B. Mustafa of Detroit and Mike Brown of Philadelphia. Brown was better known as a frequent Blue Horizon fighter back in the day.
In October 1984, Steve refereed his first 10 rounder, a draw between heavyweights Jose Ribalta and Cecil Coffee in Atlantic City. Less than a week later, Steve returned to Atlantic City and refereed heavyweight Carl Williams winning a 10 round decision over James Quick Tillis.
It was not easy for a young referee like Smoger refereeing major heavyweights in 10 rounders so early in his career.
Steve’s first world title bout was the 12 rounder between Marlon Starling and Fuzio Ozaki at the Convention Center in Atlantic City in February 1988. Strangely, historians will always remember Steve ringside as backup referee getting hit by a chair thrown by a fan, after Hasim Rahman fell out of the ring against Oleg Maskaev in 1999.
It was one of those Smoger moments for which even the best boxing writers have no rational explanation.
Perhaps the great understanding of what a referee is and why he does what he does has no actual answer. It just ‘is’ the way it happens.
The most fascinating side of boxing remains the human aspect of the officiating. The referee’s judgements in a fight are a central part of this understanding. Steve Smoger’s eyes, demeanor and composure, while commanding respect, have put a gentle face on the most difficult aspect of boxing-the man in the middle.
Steve Smoger is a goodwill ambassador of boxing, traveling all over the world whenever he is called to referee world title bouts, giving American referees respect and credibility wherever he goes.
Congratulations Steve Smoger, a deserving 2015 Hall of Fame honoree.