Philippines, 04 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


JOSE COBIAN ? BOXING REFEREE WITH COMPASSION


PhilBoxing.com


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.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • The Hard Road of Young Nationalista
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • 5 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS TOP UNDEFEATED LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER ERICK BADILLO TO CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • TURKISH KNOCKOUT ARTIST ELIF NUR TURHAN PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Melvin the Avenger
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Tellez Sisters Reina and Gabriela Sign with Boxlab Promotions
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Arena Grand Master Mohamad Sacar sweeps 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rated Standard Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Anthony “ATV” Velazquez Ready to bust out of New England
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • BOOTS VS. STANIONIS – ‘MAKE THE DAYS COUNT’ PREMIERES NOW
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • “THE FILIPINO FLASH” NONITO DONAIRE TO MAKE FIRST VISIT TO CANASTOTA FOR 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Tokyo Olympian Rashida Ellis signs long term management contract with Trifon Petrov
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Fightbook Adds Brendan Gibbons to Lead Athlete & Fan Activation Strategy
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • BOXLAB PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO ORLANDO FOR ACTION-PACKED FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Takeaways From Last Weekend's Fights in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 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.