You know there's a problem when you remember the ref more than the fighters

[TitoFan]

I normally don't pile on refs, 'cause they have a difficult enough time doing their job while keeping everybody happy. But I just saw a fight on ShoBox between Omar "Panterita" Figueroa vs. Ramon Ayala, for the WBO Youth Lightweight title, and I couldn't help thinking how lousy the referee was. Can't remember the guy's name, only that it was some older, white-haired dude.

First, it seems he was asleep while watching these guys remain in a clinch for what seemed like an eternity. Hey, there's such a thing as "fight your way out"... but that was ridiculous. I found myself staring at the ref wondering when he was finally going to separate the fighters. He did THAT a couple of times. Then he warns Ayala about taking away a point for holding, entirely too soon, with the fight barely a round old. He didn't seem comfortable in the ring, staying way too long in one place instead of moving around the way refs normally do. Finally, when Figueroa scores his half-punch, half-push knockdown of Ayala in the 2nd round, it looks like the ref needs to catch a taxi cab, by the way he rushes the count.... reaching "nine" before Ayala gets fully to his feet.... and then inexplicably waves the fight off, as the bell is sounding to end the round. The TV commentator said the ref "must've seen something in his eyes", but for some reason, I don't buy that.

Not that the fight itself would've been that memorable, but when I find myself looking to see when's the next time the ref's going to screw up, instead of concentrating on the fight..... something's wrong. And it wasn't some young-looking rookie ref. This guy's been around the block a few times. I may have even seen him before.

Anyway, it gives me a new appreciation for how hard a ref's job is... so when you magnify that for the big, major fights.... it's a thankless job. It's one of those things where, if you do your job correctly, nobody notices you. But when you screw up big time... that's all anybody ever talks about.

[THE THIRD MAN]

I remember Dave Parris alright, i just wish he had remembered the rules of Boxing back in 2005!

[captainanddew]

I normally don't pile on refs, 'cause they have a difficult enough time doing their job while keeping everybody happy. But I just saw a fight on ShoBox between Omar "Panterita" Figueroa vs. Ramon Ayala, for the WBO Youth Lightweight title, and I couldn't help thinking how lousy the referee was. Can't remember the guy's name, only that it was some older, white-haired dude.

First, it seems he was asleep while watching these guys remain in a clinch for what seemed like an eternity. Hey, there's such a thing as "fight your way out"... but that was ridiculous. I found myself staring at the ref wondering when he was finally going to separate the fighters. He did THAT a couple of times. Then he warns Ayala about taking away a point for holding, entirely too soon, with the fight barely a round old. He didn't seem comfortable in the ring, staying way too long in one place instead of moving around the way refs normally do. Finally, when Figueroa scores his half-punch, half-push knockdown of Ayala in the 2nd round, it looks like the ref needs to catch a taxi cab, by the way he rushes the count.... reaching "nine" before Ayala gets fully to his feet.... and then inexplicably waves the fight off, as the bell is sounding to end the round. The TV commentator said the ref "must've seen something in his eyes", but for some reason, I don't buy that.

Not that the fight itself would've been that memorable, but when I find myself looking to see when's the next time the ref's going to screw up, instead of concentrating on the fight..... something's wrong. And it wasn't some young-looking rookie ref. This guy's been around the block a few times. I may have even seen him before.

Anyway, it gives me a new appreciation for how hard a ref's job is... so when you magnify that for the big, major fights.... it's a thankless job. It's one of those things where, if you do your job correctly, nobody notices you. But when you screw up big time... that's all anybody ever talks about.

agree with everything except don't mention bullshit trinkets. Recognizing anything but a ring belt is waste of time. WBO, WBA, WBC, IBO, and some of them have 3-4 belts. They don't mean a fucking thing.

[BIG H]

I remember Dave Parris alright, i just wish he had remembered the rules of Boxing back in 2005!

He didn't make your man quit

[Manos de Piedra]

I normally don't pile on refs, 'cause they have a difficult enough time doing their job while keeping everybody happy. But I just saw a fight on ShoBox between Omar "Panterita" Figueroa vs. Ramon Ayala, for the WBO Youth Lightweight title, and I couldn't help thinking how lousy the referee was. Can't remember the guy's name, only that it was some older, white-haired dude.

First, it seems he was asleep while watching these guys remain in a clinch for what seemed like an eternity. Hey, there's such a thing as "fight your way out"... but that was ridiculous. I found myself staring at the ref wondering when he was finally going to separate the fighters. He did THAT a couple of times. Then he warns Ayala about taking away a point for holding, entirely too soon, with the fight barely a round old. He didn't seem comfortable in the ring, staying way too long in one place instead of moving around the way refs normally do. Finally, when Figueroa scores his half-punch, half-push knockdown of Ayala in the 2nd round, it looks like the ref needs to catch a taxi cab, by the way he rushes the count.... reaching "nine" before Ayala gets fully to his feet.... and then inexplicably waves the fight off, as the bell is sounding to end the round. The TV commentator said the ref "must've seen something in his eyes", but for some reason, I don't buy that.

Not that the fight itself would've been that memorable, but when I find myself looking to see when's the next time the ref's going to screw up, instead of concentrating on the fight..... something's wrong. And it wasn't some young-looking rookie ref. This guy's been around the block a few times. I may have even seen him before.

Anyway, it gives me a new appreciation for how hard a ref's job is... so when you magnify that for the big, major fights.... it's a thankless job. It's one of those things where, if you do your job correctly, nobody notices you. But when you screw up big time... that's all anybody ever talks about.

That's true. People tend to remember the bad refs more than good refs. for example some of my friends who are casual boxing fans and haven't been watching boxing that long, all know Joe Cortez (the old bald ref when they can't recall his name). Whereas if Kenny Bayless is mentioned they are clueless.

[Spicoli]

The best ref is the one you never see for the most part. True. Nothing wrong with being assertive and maintaining but guys like Cortez have serious needy issues. I'm hard pressed to think of anything more self centered and just bullshit than a ref with "Now remember guys I'M fair but I'M firm" Ref should never make it about himself before the frigging bell even rings.

It is good to remember the bad ones though, just like judges.

[THE THIRD MAN]

I remember Dave Parris alright, i just wish he had remembered the rules of Boxing back in 2005!

He didn't make your man quit

No he didn't. He did allow his opponent to use his balls as earrings throughout the night. Anywhere else in the world and there wouldv'e been a DQ by round 9 at the latest.