Philippines, 15 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


McTAVISH NAMED 'REFEREE OF THE YEAR' BY WBC


PhilBoxing.com




Long time Philippine resident Bruce McTavish, originally from New Zealand, was named 'Referee of the Year' in the just concluded 55th WBC Convention held in Baku, Azerbaijan Oct. 1 to 6. The WBC also honored McTavish with the same recognition in 2013 and 2015.

The veteran McTavish has refereed more than 1,500 fights in a career that spanned more than 40 years, more than 100 of those were for world title fights. The last world title fight he officiated was between undefeated Thai Chayaphon Moonsri who successfully defended his WBC world minimumweight title against Australian resident Omari Kemwiri of Tanzania on June 3, 2107 in Rayong, Thailand.

?The WBC convention in Baku was a great surprise,? McTavish informed Philboxing in a text message. ?The city's hospitality was first class. The Philippines was honored to have its Games and Amusement Board named as top commission by the WBC and yours truly as the top referee.?

McTavish, 76, boxed as an amateur and retired with a record of 31 wins and 2 loses. He also played rugby and basketball and was a member of the New Zealand national basketball team. In 1967, he settled in the Philippines residing in Angeles City, Pampanga. He later married Carmen Tayag with whom he had two daughters.

McTavish is also well known for his philanthropic activities. He was a member of the Rotary Club in the Philippines. From 1983 to 1984, McTavish served as president of the Rotary Club of Mabalacat in Pampanga. During his term he introduced the Polio Plus Project, the pilot program which became the basis of Rotary International efforts eradicate polio worldwide. McTavish is currently involved with the Bahay Bata Foundation, a residence center for street children in Angeles, Pampanga, as the chairman of the center's board of trustees. Bahay Bata is a project of Rotary Club of Clark Centennial.

McTavish attempted several times to gain a Filipino citizenship but has so far been unsuccessful.

Top photo: Referee Bruce McTavish (C) receives his trophy from WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman (R) and Azerbaijan boxing official (L) during the WBC's 55th convention held in Baku, Azerbaijan first week of October.


Sulaiman poses with McTavish and the Philippine delegation.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
    , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
    , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
    , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 14 Dec 2025
  • FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Dec 2025
  • Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
    , Sun, 14 Dec 2025
  • Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
    , Sun, 14 Dec 2025
  • Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
    , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
    , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Nesthy faces Indon legend
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
    , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
    , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025
  • Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025
  • BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
    , Fri, 12 Dec 2025
  • MERCADO AIMING TO SEND MESSAGE TO 140LB RIVALS
    , Fri, 12 Dec 2025
  • Sullivan Management signs Influencer/pro boxer Brooklyn Barwick
    , Fri, 12 Dec 2025
  • Round 12: Successful WBC Annual Convention in Bangkok (Photos)
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025
  • Halfway Point Surpassed at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
    , Fri, 12 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.