Happy birthday Richard Steele!

Today one of the best referees in boxing history, Richard Steele, turns 80.

Richard was an experienced referee and former member of the United States Marine Corps. He began his career as an amateur boxer. Steele started his career as the third man between the ropes in the 1970s, participating in nearly 200 world title fights.

In 1983, he refereed the first major fight of his career, when Aaron Pryor knocked out Alexis Argüello in ten rounds. He was also a referee in matches as important as those of Mike Tyson vs. Donovan “Razor” Ruddock, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, Hagler vs. Sugar Ray Leonard, and the first of two between Julio César Chávez and Meldrick Taylor.

Happy birthday dear Richard!