Referee - Tony Perez 'I Should Have DQ'd Muhammad Ali'

Referee - Tony Perez,

January 28, 1974 (Madison Square Garden)

Joe Frazier vs. Muhmmad Ali II

'I consider it a bad performance by myself as a Referee. The holding, clinching
and dirty tactics used by Mr. Ali were obviously intentional fouls.
I wanted to use my authority as the 'Third Man in the Ring', but I was
under pressure from the higher ups to let it go.'

'I did discuss the fouling with the New York State Athletic Commission
Officials at Ringside several times, but they told me not to do anything
because Muhammad Ali would cry fouls of racism.'

'But it was getting ridiculous, and Muhammad was going overboard with
those very dirty holds behind Joe Frazier's neck. Joe looked at me at least
15-times, and said 'C'mon Tony do something.'

 

Tony Perez,

The 44 year-old Referee from New Jersey was regarded as one of the better
young ring general's - as he was quick, had strength and was always well positioned.

But, Tony had a stranglehold put on him by New York State Athletic Commissioner
Edwin B. Dooley, who told him after the 4th Round, 'If you penalize Ali a point, he
will never come back here to fight again. Just let it go Tony,'

But Tony complained to the commissioner, that it was getting out of hand, and Joe
Frazier was really getting pissed about Mr. Ali's constant 'dirty cuffing' behind the neck.

Edwin B. Dooley responded by telling Tony, 'You can warn him, but under no circumstances
are you allowed to penalize him a single-point, unless I say so.'

Referee - Tony Perez - 'My hands were tied. I was put in a stranglehold. I could have
penalized Muhammad Ali 5-points, or easily Disqualified him if he didn't obey my commands.'

This content is protected

 

Tony Perez later filed a law-suit against Muhammad Ali for 'defamation of character'.

 

A decent fight, but the holding and cuffing was out-of-hand-

Ringside Observer - Don Warner,

'If I was the Referee, I would have warned Cassius immediately. After the
second time, I would have told him one more time, and it is a point deduction.
After that, he would have been on thin ice. I consider his behind the neck cuffing,
just like hitting below the belt. A foul is a foul.'

This content is protected

 

Does anyone have the exact total of behind the neck 'cuffs' Mr. Ali used on
Mr. Frazier.

Fouling is one thing, but to take advantage by using a 'filthy' low-style move,
knowing full well that the ringside officials (New York State Athletic Commission)
would allow you to get away with it, because they were bidding for another 'big dollar'
fight.

 

Thoughts by Tony Perez, on why he wasn't allowed to penalize or DQ
Muhammad Ali.

Teddy Brenner and Madison Square Garden,


A) Wanted Muhammad Ali to defeat Joe Frazier on January 28, 1974

B) They were hoping (praying) that Ken Norton would defeat George Foreman in
their March 1974 Heavyweight Championhsip Bout.

C) Madison Square Garden was planning on having Muhammad Ali fight the 'new'
Champion Ken Norton in October 1974, and in Madison Square Garden.

Hence, Muhammad Ali 'must win'.