WBC TALKS, ROUND 3: Referees Panel- SPANISH SPEAKING  PANEL

With a large audience this morning at 11 o’clock,  Mexico time, round 3 of WBC TALKS was held, this time featuring a front-line referee panel.

Mauricio Sulaimán- WBC President
Christian Curiel _ International referee
Guadalupe Garcia – International Referee
Héctor H.Afú- International Referee
Xochilt Lagarda – Director of WBC Boxing University
Victor Silva – Mediator

The leader of the organization, Mr. Mauricio Sulaimán, started this interesting talk,  highlighted the great work of The Boxing University who have put all their efforts into this initiative, where the most important thing is to keep us united and busy.

To get fully into the subject, the President  of the WBC, highlighted that the work of the referee is vitally  important inside a ring, because in his hands are  the life and health of all boxers. They  are the highest authority up in  the ring and for this reason everything  must be conducted according to the WBC Code of Ethics, a universal document that details in clear and direct terms, the behavior that a referee must adhere to in work and life.

He added that the WBC has worked tirelessly to be at the forefront in this issue, including setting the example that years ago, the referee had the task of scoring the fight; however, this practice was eliminated as it is necessary for the third man in the ring to be fully focused on the work.

It is imperative that the referee is in constant preparation, both physically and mentally, because the health and life of the boxer depends upon him. At this point he recalled the fight between Lennox Lewis and Oliver McCall where, referee Lupe García stopped the fight, regardless of the pressure that existed in this championship mode. Because Lennox was tottering and at that moment helpless, Guadalupe made the decision to  stop the fight. A decision that was highly criticized at the moment, but time proved him right, as that decision saved the life of Lewis, a champion who later regained his championship and is today hale and hearty. Mauricio stressed that today “The Lion” thanks him for having had the aplomb to stop the fight.

Lupe García, who is a recognized international referee, explained in a timely manner the obligations that exist before a fight, specified in the code of ethics, such as the revision of the ring, from verifying that the canvas is not slippery, to the safety belts buffers on  all four sides of the string. And that the ladders are in a right position, the regulation funnels and that the ring has no sharp edges. Likewise, the referee has the obligation to go to each boxer’s locker room and give very clear instructions on how he will work in and out of the ring, as well as the actions that are allowed and those which are prohibited. At this point he remembered our dear Don José, who always said to him: Lupe, you must be very explicit when giving the rules.

He insisted on ZERO tolerance to rabbit punches, which are extremely dangerous because, as has already been shown, they can leave irreversible injuries and even lead to death. He commented that this
blow should be prohibited from the gym, because only then can we prevent in contests.

Returning to the obligations, he explained that at the time of the fight quick instructions should be given, just as a reminder and give keywords that every boxer must understand: BREAK, STOP, BOX, TIME, NO.

Likewise, it is their obligation to make boxers touch their gloves as it is an act of fair play and sportsmanship.

Christian Curiel, another experienced WBC referee, was clear in saying that the glove touch should be done before and at the end of the fight as it is a way of showing respect plus sportsmanship and that you should never hesitate to pull up  unsportsmanlike conduct.

Christian also addressed the importance of knock downs criteria as he explained that these should be categorized, and that referees must act quickly and effectively, because boxers depends on it.

The criterion is vital, as well as being fully focused to make the right decisions, regardless of whether it is an elite or 4-round fight, the ethics must always be the same. When a fighter falls to the canvas, the referee must give ALL priority to that boxer and put into practice the safety protocols: Be alert to his gaze, ask basic questions, make him walk towards you, raise his guard and if you see something that it is not correct to stop the combat immediately.

Héctor Afu, who was also very active in the session, took up the issue of touching the gloves and explained that this is an honorable protocol adding that referee’s  obligations must also verify that all the
fighter’s clothing is adequate, that there is no excess fat on the body, that both have genital and mouth protectors well fitted and very important that the gloves are not manipulated.

The next thing is to verify and locate is the position of the teammates, the work team, the judges, the time keeper and that the corners are in adequate position.

He emphasized the use of the Red Card and the Green Card, two key instruments of the doctor that have  become a resounding success since when the doctor and the referee do not speak the same language, it is highly possible that there might be misinterpretations and erroneous decisions, since even body language has different meanings in different countries of the world.

At this point he commented that the doctor should simply show the “plastic” mentioned to the referee, using the red card if he considers that the fighter should not continue,  or else, the doctor shows the green card, which indicates that in his opinion the boxer can continue.

He insisted that a referee should intervene as little as possible and always act by protecting  the fighter, his safety and his life.

Next, we leave you the link so that you do not miss this interesting talk where some more topics were addressed such as: the recommended age for a referee to retire, actions that the WBC has taken to implement new technologies (instant replay), actions for which points must be removed, prohibited punches, recovery time and much more.