Joe Santarpia was an American professional boxing referee.[1]
Boxing career
editSantarpia began his career as an amateur boxer and made it all the way to the semi-finals in the New York Golden Gloves. He then went on to become the captain of an American boxing team that competed against England's team in the Internationals.[1] On that team was three time world champ Carlos Ortiz. Santarpia sustained an injury to his left eye forcing him to make unwanted adjustments for his future vocation.
Professional boxing referee
editSantarpia then began his career as a professional referee in 1973. During his career as a referee he has been in the ring with many greats such as Marvelous Marvin Hagler, James "Bonecrusher" Smith, Vinny Paz (Panzienza), Pernell Whitaker, Howard Davis, Jr. to name a few.[2][3]
Santarpia was in the ring in 1988 for the last scheduled 15 round fight in the United States in which Buddy McGirt knockout Howard Davis, Jr. in the first round to capture the title.[4] In 1993, at Madison Square Garden, Santarpia officiated the big title fight between Riddick Bowe and Michael Dokes.[5] He stopped the contest at 2:19 in the first round to give Bowe the victory amidst general criticism, a decision the former referee continues to defends.[6] In April 2000, he refereed the fight that ended when Wladimir Klitschko knocked out David Bostice[7] also at Madison Square Garden.[2]
Santarpia has also refereed fights internationally in Italy, England and Denmark.
Other boxing-related pursuits
editIn addition to being a professional boxing referee, Santarpia also owned a gym and trained fighters. He passed on his boxing genes and knowledge to his son Michael Santarpia who, like his Dad was a New York Golden Gloves boxer.Michael Santarpia also compiled a 14-2 boxing record on the club fight circuit.
Awards
editIn 2012, Santarpia was honoured by Ring 10 Veteran's Boxing Foundation and awarded the Arthur Mercante Service Award.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ a b "Joe Santarpia - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ a b Boxing Records - Joe Santarpia http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=401263&cat=referee
- ^ "Ellensburg Daily Record - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ Berger, Phil (1988-08-01). "Boxing; McGirt Knocks Out Davis in Round 1". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ Dokes Debacle puts Heat on Bowe to Find Worthy Opponent [1]
- ^ Boxing101 http://www.worldboxing101.com/2012/09/24/retired-boxing-referee-joe-santarpia-is-still-punchin%E2%80%99/
- ^ Patterson Retires After Defeat https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-30-sp-25187-story.html
- ^ Boxing 101 Scrima, Sharon (19 August 2012). "Living Legends Unite to Make a Difference at Ring 10 2nd Annual Fundraiser". Archived from the original on 2016-04-02. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
- ^ "Welcome to Ring 10". Archived from the original on March 18, 2011. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
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