WBC TALKS, Round 45, chatting with “Fair but Firm”  Joe Cortez

Today we had the opportunity, privilege and honor to speak with one of the most accomplished  ring officials in the history of the sport: Joe Cortez.

Joe Cortez began his time in sports as a boxer. However his legacy in sports will be as a Referee. “Firm but fair” Joe is recognized by all his colleagues for his dedication, honesty, control and skills, although one of the main characteristics that made him shine was his humility and his willingness to make the work of the third ring more effective in every performance, always with the firm mission of ensuring the integrity of the fighters. Zack Clayton, a former basketball player, taught him mobility, and he himself worked and worked on ring mechanics.

Joe stressed that one of the greatest attributes in boxing is sportsmanship.  When Julio Cesar Chavez and Greg Haugen clashed in the giant Azteca Stadium in front of a record breaking crowd of 136,000, there was some needle, and no touching of gloves. Joe got both back from their corners to mid ring and insisted they touch em up!  Compassion is also a vital element.  As Greg was getting hammered by Julio in the fifth and not fighting back, Joe stepped into to save him, avoiding the possibility of injury.  Joe said he`s a father figure in the ring, and the boxers are his children. His job is to protect them. 

Joe also said that the this fight and the massive attendance was the highlight of his career, which he`ll always remember.  Thousands of cheering people banking of to the left and droves to the right He said being a referee is a constant learning process. To learn from every experience, and any mistakes,  so that errors can be minimized and eliminated.

Joe talked with the President about dozens of anecdotes and showed us his great museum full of historical articles, if you did not have the opportunity to follow the conversation, we highly recommend that you do not miss it at the following link:

JOE CORTEZ FIGHTER

Power: Mike Tyson

Chin: Gaspar Ortega

Speed: Sugar Ray Leonard

Jab: Muhammad Ali

Heart: Julio Cesar Chavez

Boxing Skill: Sugar Ray Robinson/ Floyd Mayweather

The Best Referee:

Concentration: Joe Cortez

Ring Mechanics: Jack Reiss

Enforcement of the Rules: Mills Lane

Chin: Arthur Mercante Jr.

Presence: Arthur Mercante

Compassion: Joe Cortez