Philippines, 29 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


CLASS A STAR CHAMPIONSHIP REFEREE IAN JOHN-LEWIS JOINS THE BRITISH AND IRISH BOXING AUTHORITY (BIBA)

PhilBoxing.com




It was officially announced today that the highly respected and world class championship referee, Ian John-Lewis, has joined the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA). This follows on from his surprise resignation from the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

A former amateur and professional boxer, he has used this vital experience when he became a referee. In 2000 he became Britain's first and still only Black A Star referee. in 2010 he became the youngest British referee to be the 'man in the middle' at the WBC world heavyweight championship and in 2018 was voted the worlds best boxing referee by his qualified peers.

Now in his 30th year as an official he has refereed 1044 championship bouts, mostly in Britain, and 77 championship contests overseas in 19 different countries including; Italy (15), Denmark (6), Germany (11), France (4), Japan (8), Spain (3), Poland (5), South Africa (2), Turkey (3), Belgium (1), Canada (3), Romania (1), Sweden (1), Russia (5), Zambia (1), Finland (2), USA (3), Saudi Arabia (2) and Gibraltar (2).

John-Lewis’ inaugural professional refereeing assignment was the contest between Darren Fifield and Kevin Jenkins at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green on the 17th February 1993 and his most recent Championship refereeing assignment was on the 10th December 2021, when he was the third man in the ring for the World Boxing Council (WBC) World Youth Championship contest at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace, London between Aaron McKenna and Carlos Galego Montijo.

In addition John-Lewis also judged 442 bouts, of which 305 were Championship contests and again whilst most were in the UK, he also travelled the world on judging assignments.

John-Lewis’ first judging assignment was the World Boxing Federation (WBFed) Pan European Championship fight between Jason Hart and Lester Jacobs that took place at Caesars Nightclub in Streatham, London on the 25th November 1998 and his most recent Championship judging assignment being the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO Championship contest between Undisputed Champion Josh Taylor and and WBO’s #1 mandatory challenger Jack Catterall that took place on the 26th February 2022 at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.

On making the announcement, British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) Vice President Gianluca Di Caro said;

“It is truly an honour to welcome one of the very best referees in the world to the BIBA family.

“It seems I am not the only one that is overjoyed that Ian has joined us, on Wednesday, following a photo of Ian and myself being posted on social media, it seemed that not only virtually every BIBA members posted extremely positive comments welcoming Ian aboard, but also many of the boxers that Ian had refereed over the years also posted fantastic reviews and offered their congratulations.

“I, and am sure all BIBA officials, look forward to working with Ian, after all, and as it says on the jacket of his biography - ‘he is a fair man’, ‘he is Ian John-Lewis’, ‘he is the Referee’”

John-Lewis, whose biography I AM THE REFEREE was published in 2014, is a man of few words, then briefly added;

“I’m pleased that the British & Irish Boxing Authority has given me the opportunity to continue to do what I do best…Referee.”

www.boxbiba.com




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Deaño settles to a draw
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow
    , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • 4th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Chezka Centeno ready for world 10-ball title defense
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.