Micky Vann's Retirement!

[yvonne]

Hi they U.K boxing fans.As im well sure most of you's will already know that one of our best Referee's is due to retire at the end of this year...Im talking about Micky Vann of course!I read not so long ago in last months addition of Boxing News Mag that he's(Vann)been forced by the BBB(British Boxing Board)to take a full compulsory retirement after he turns the young age of 65 sometime during next year,even known that he has expressed that he would like to continue refereeing thereafter,"I hope he does!"I find him a really good ref.He's been in the game god knows when.He adopts the right actions at the right time during any foul play inside the ring.There's talk that he'll be refereeing during Ricky Hattons next bout in May24th which is good.I hope that if he's still interested in continuing in the game after retirement age that the BBB will take it aboard that he's still really fit and active as well as being in the trade donkeys years and known all the tricks in the book that their should allow him to continue to his and fans as well as boxers hearts consent.

Would you's like to see him continue?If not then please could you say why!

[leftylee]

I liked Vann he was a good ref, shame really.

[yvonne]

Alright they mate!I hope that the BBB find some kind of compromise for him to keep refereeing in future bouts.Do you know if Mcky Vann has a MBE yet?If not he should be presented with one for his great contribution in the great sport!

[WelshDevilRob]

This is sad news for British Boxing and a shame if he is forced to retire. Like all refs he doesn't get everything right but he has and still is a World Class referee.

The UK Government is supposed to be encouraging people to work longer so how the BBB of C can justify forcing this man to retire is beyond me.

The 1st fight I ever attended was Lennox Lewis vs Frank Bruno (Joe Calzaghe made his debut on the undercard) and Mickey Vann was in charge of the action for that historic fight.

I hope they extend his license to referee - maybe on a yearly basis?

[telboy66]

It does seem strange when a couple of weeks ago a 60 year old was allowed to fight.Micky Vann won't be lost to the game though as he can still judge fights

[yvonne]

Cheers for the Rep Rob!The BBB must be able to have a compromise for Micky Vann to carry on doing top quality rereering after all he really wants to continue and i cant see a problem in him doing so.I like what you mention with maybe him participating in Big annual bouts..thats a good idea.

[Kev]

It does seem strange when a couple of weeks ago a 60 year old was allowed to fight.Micky Vann won't be lost to the game though as he can still judge fights

Yeah absolutely crazy. Evander Holyfield and Thomas Hearns can carry on their ring careers but a referree is considered to be at a health risk

[donnydarkoIRL]

Mickey is a lot sharper, more active and observant than most referees half his age.

[dvandyke]

Sorry but I don't like him at all I feel he always favours the big name.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I take it you mean Hatton?

[telboy66]

I take it you mean Hatton?

Dead right Donny it got to be bloody embarrassing the number of times Vann referee'd Ricky fights it was as though he was the only ref in Britain

[Shamrock]

The Board should re-think it's compulsory retirement policy. Good refs are usually the experienced ones. It makes no sense to force retirement on an able referee just based on age. They should look at each case on it's merits. As long as the referee isn't making misakes and is fit and able to do his job he should be allowed to carry on. They could even come up with some from of test to check their sharpness

Vann has been a constant in the fight game and I for one think it would be a shame for an outdated policy to prevent him carrying on. Is this yet another example of the British Boxing Board being woefully out of date with the rest of the world....

[telboy66]

I think the BBBC might have problems with the the age discrimination act where your not allowed to discriminate against anyone in the work place purely on age

[Memphis]

Theres always Germany.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I take it you mean Hatton?

Dead right Donny it got to be bloody embarrassing the number of times Vann referee'd Ricky fights it was as though he was the only ref in Britain

Now I'm a huge Ricky fan, but I think Vann did do him some favours

Other than that I think Vann was pretty damn good!