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Philippines, 21 Feb 2026 |
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JOSE COBIAN ? BOXING REFEREE WITH COMPASSION By Epifanio M. Almeda PhilBoxing.com Thu, 15 Nov 2007 Boxing referees are seldom remembered for their participation even in significant and important boxing events. Whenever they are, it is usually because of their mistakes or acts of incompetence which are compiled by the concerned boxing bodies for others to avoid committing. During the workshop for ring officials in the November 12-17, 2007 45th WBC Convention held in the Philippines, 12 of such ?don?ts? for referees were shown. The workshop was thorough and might have achieved its objective. But it would have been fitting to connect with the speech delivered by WBC President Jose Sulaiman at the start of the convention if exploits of referees, and I believe there are a lot, were included in the workshop. Mr. Sulaiman mentioned compassion, among others, for boxers but I?m not sure if Mr. Sulaiman referred to compassion only outside of the ring. There is one instance which, to me, is an unforgettable demonstration of compassion inside the boxing ring. The event is Manny Pacquiao?s defense of his IBF 122-lb title against then undefeated Emmanuel Lucero of Mexico. I already forgot when this fight was held and I don?t intend to remember it anyway. The referee, however, is, I?ll never forget, Jose Cobian.  Referee Cobian (C) poses with the author, Eppie Almeda (R) and Mrs. Almeda during the WBC Convention at the Manila Hotel. Referee Cobian displayed his high calibre skills as a polished and experienced boxing referee. He cautioned the fighters during the fight to avoid a clash of heads this being not uncommon in a fight between an orthodox fighter and a southpaw. Midway in the 3rd round, Pacquiao unleashed a well timed left flush on Lucero?s right jaw. Lucero turned-his back in retreat towards the ropes with his uncoordinated legs. As Manny pursued to deliver the coup-de-grace, referee Cobian rushed to the rope clinging Lucero, placed his body as a shield from what could have been unnecessary but fighter damaging shot or shots from the hard fisted Pacquiao while waiving the fight as over and at the same time hugging the beaten fighter. For all he did right in the Pacquiao-Lucero fight, referee Cobian displayed passion in his job. But, like the date, I could have easily forgotten Mr. Cobian and his passion in that fight but for an act similar, in the hearing, to it. To echo Mr. Sulaiman?s use of the word, referee Cobian exemplified compassion. I had this rare chance to personally ask Mr. Cobian the question, ?What was in your mind when you put yourself at risk of being hit by a devastating Pacquiao punch?? The Compassionate referee Jose Cobian replies. ?He (Lucero) was already out. I?d rather get hit than him.? This is in line with what Jesus Christ of the bible teaches - laying down one?s life for a friend. Referee Jose Cobian showed to ?millions watching around the world? that there is ?love? within the four corners of a boxing ring. He spelled it C-O-M-P-A-S-S-I-O-N. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Epifanio M. Almeda.  |
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