Boxing referee proves he’s a knockout

Highly respected Ian John-Lewis has joined the British & Irish Boxing Authority

WELCOME: Ian John Lewis with British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) Vice President Gianluca Di Caro (right)

HIGHLY RESPECTED boxing 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.  A decade later 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 world’s 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 February 17, 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.

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.”

John-Lewis, whose biography I Am The Referee was published in 2014, is a man of few words. He said: “I’m pleased that the British & Irish Boxing Authority has given me the opportunity to continue to do what I do best…referee.”

Comments Form

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*
*

Support The Voice

The Voice Newspaper is committed to celebrating black excellence, campaigning for positive change and informing the black community on important issues. Your financial contributions are essential to protect the future of the publication as we strive to help raise the profile of the black communities across the UK. Any size donation is welcome and we thank you for your continued support.

Support Sign-up