Philippines, 09 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


TOP JUDGES AND REFEREES HONE THEIR SKILLS AT SEA (PHOTOS)


PhilBoxing.com




The WBO judges and referees conducted a free-flowing seminar to hone their skills during the ongoing 30th WBO Convention aboard the luxury ship 'Norwegian Sky' as the 77 thousand tonnage ship with more than 2,000 vacationers left Havana, Cuba here Wednesday afternoon heading to The Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

The Maui Room on Deck 6 was filled with more than one hundred boxing officials, most of whom were and are responsible for officiating the biggest boxing events in the United States and all over the world. A lapse of judgment by any of them could make or break a boxer's career and break the hearts of millions of fans all over the world. Familiar faces, big names, controversial figures, up and coming and aspiring younger officials were all gathered under one roof.

The resource persons were composed of WBO first vice-president John Duggan, long time referee and now WBO third vice president Gino Rodriguez, judges Michael Pernick, Levi Martinez, Robin Taylor and Steve Weisfeld and referee Mark Nelson.

Among those participating in the seminar were familiar names Kenny Bayless, Tony Weeks and Robert Byrd and his controversial wife Adalaide Byrd, Russell Mora, Laurence Cole, father and son Raul Caiz senior and junior and many others. Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan, boxing judge Salven Lagumbay and GAB chairman Abraham Mitra were also in attendance.


Boxing judge Levi Martinez (L) explains a point as retired referee Gino Rodriguez (R) looks on during the Officials Seminar during the ongoing 30th WBO Convention held aboard the Norwegian Sky luxury ship Wednesday.


More than one hundred officials attended the seminar.

Veteran judge Levi Martinez discussed the intricacies of scoring a fight while New York based judge Steve Weisfield explained the many ways a judge could commit a mistake and how to avoid them. Mark Nelson, who was the referee of the controversial Pacquiao-Horn fight, hosted the referee's seminar in a relaxed atmosphere.

One of the film clips that was reviewed was round 9 of the Pacquiao-Horn fight werein Horn was almost stopped by Pacquiao. The participants were divided in scoring the round as a 10-9 or 10-8 in Pacquiao's favor with several of them defended their scoring either way which showed just how difficult it is to get a consensus in difficult boxing situations.


Judge Steve Weisfeld (R) reviews round 9 of the Pacquiao-Horn fight.


Gino Rodriguez (in red shirt) speaks as Mark Nelson (R) hosts the referee's seminar.


Referee Kenny Bayless drives a point.


All in all, many said it was one of the best seminars conducted during a boxing convention and the officials came out of the room highly refreshed and ready to tackle their difficult assignments in the year ahead.

The activity will resume Thursday morning with the all important ratings committee discussion and executive committee meeting as the Norwegian Sky docks into the Great Stirrup Cay private island in the Bahamas at noon. The awards ceremony will be held in the afternoon and all the participants will have group dinner in the evening.


WBO first vice president John Duggan takes on the podium.


GAB chairman Abraham Mitra (2nd from right) is an interested participant.



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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
    , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
    , Thu, 01 Jan 2026
  • Lover Boy on hot streak
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
    , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.