Its Steve Smoger the best boxing refere ?

I like Joe Cortez and Kenny Bayless the best, but Smoger is right behind them.

 

My exact thoughts also Mercante jr is good to.

 

You guys are on the ball. Theres your top 4 right there.

 

Joe Cortez is shot.

He hasn't been a good ref in years.

Smoger and Bayless are tops.

 

yeah, i think cortez is getting old. i like bayless more

 

I've always liked Frank Cappuccino.

 

He looks rediculous when he salutes b4 fights, I give him a pass because he does it in honor of soldiers in harms way.

 

I like bayless too.

 

Smoger is a very good ref. Doesn't get too involved, he lets them fight.

 

i like smoger, bayless and sometimes nady when he doesn't get the urge to tell fighters what punch they should throw next, or warn a fighter about holding BEFORE he does. :rofl

i also like that draculich fella. his name seems very dracula-like, and he LOOKS like dracula too! i think that's cool

 

What, Sparkle Lee gets no mention?!

 

Smoger is an excellent ref: doesn't get involved, stops fights at the perfect moments, and yet all the time seems in total control. He doesn't have twitchy fingers to take away points, but usually just gives boxers his "angry dwarf" look and they behave.

I like Arthur Mercante Jnr. for the same reasons. Like Smoger, he's like a more compassionate update of the old-school refs, who were practically just timekeepers.

The only complaint I'd have of these refs and all American referees is that they don't let the action go on for long enough on the inside. Back in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, the infighting game was pretty much dominated by Americans and barely found in Europe. These days, European countries like the UK have the most infighting going on, which is one of the reasons it took a while for Hatton to adjust to boxing in America.

In the UK, Micky Vann is good: he never stops it too early, doesn't panic when corners throw in the towel, and doesn't get involved much. When he does get involved, he totally takes charge: rarely did refs control Bruno or Lewis; Vann took charge over both after his infamous "I don't want no ****" speech. That was pretty much the last time there was any flagarant fouling in a fight between two pretty dirty boxers.

 

Agreed Kurg.

American refs stop the action too quick. Our top fighters - Hatton and Calzaghe are class infighters. Even Woods is good.

British refs are AWFUL when it comes to stopping fights. They just jump in immediately. I suppose its bred in them from things like McClellan, Watson, Ingle etc Many high profile injuries.

Smoger is a good ref. A ref should be like a ghost, non existent.

 

But in all honesty, she did a good job. I can't think of any complaints on the one time we've seen her.