After the contreversy of the Malignaggi-Diaz fight as well as a long history of questionable decisions I was wondering how you become a judge in the first place. It seems to be a career shrouded in mystery, before and after it is undertaken.....
Im sure certain boxing promoters "encourage" certain folk to become totally impartial judges (even if some boxers should be seen as more equal than others)
Step 1 First you have to email or call the Athletic commissioner of your state. Step 2 You can find their contact info by going to your state website and then search for athletic commission. Step 3 Next, you will need to call the director of amateur boxing in your local area. The athletic commissioner will provide you with that information Step 4 Call the director let him know you want to become a amateur boxing judge. Step 5 Then you will have to call the boxing promoter of the next boxing show. The boxing promoter will tell you where and when next show will be. Step 6 Next, you will go the boxing show to meet the other boxing judges. Look for a mentor out of those judges to show you the ropes on being a judge Step 7 There also is a test that boxing judges have to take and the other judges will explain that to you
harold ledderman wrote a good piece on it a while back. basically said you start small, local amateur fights and work your way up. you can get certification and usually you have to work a TON of fights before you get up to the top level. however, judges don't seem to be accountable to anyone and i don't know if you are required to go through any post-license testing and i believe you're correct essex: mickey vann for instance is a very good ref and a terrible judge
from a local judge: judged for six years, both amateur and pro. It is an experience I would recommend to anyone who would like to get involved in the "nuts and bolts" of a boxing event. Having an official "say" as to who won or lost a fight. . . it's hard to explain just how great it is. I'd contact your state athletic commission, and ask them how to proceed. They'll probably tell you to get experience in the amateur fight game, first (that's what they told me). I joined a local boxing gym, asked if they needed a judge, and for a couple of months I sat and observed their sparring sessions and tournaments. Then I was allowed to sit next to the official judges at the table to observe and learn. The conversations with various judges over the years while I was learning were some of the most educational discussions I've ever been part of. Lots of insight as to HOW to properly judge, and which judges are full of BS. . . . Actually, in the amateur tournaments, I was simply "trusted" to do the right thing (A 20-dollar annual fee to USA Boxing, the national amateur organization, is all that really got me started). With that membership card, it allows you to be "credentialed" at amateur shows, but also you're VISIBLE and remembered by "big wigs". . . . .
cool thanks tito very informative, I think this also explains how the system can be exploited because if it is that easy to start then a promoter could easily put someone in 'place' and then push the rite buttons....
