Connect with us

Articles of 2004

Man in the Middle

Published

on

While the boxing world primarily knows this past weekend’s International boxing hall of fame inductee, Stanley Christodoulou, as a referee and a judge, he has affectionately been referred to and regarded as Mr Boxing in South Africa for close on forty years. No other man wielded more power and influence in the sport in South Africa than Christodoulou over that time.

Besides building a distinguished career as a referee and judge, being one of only three men to officiate in over 100 world title fights in all 17 weight divisions, he was at the helm of the South African boxing commission up until the turn of the century. As an executive member of the World Boxing Association, he was also instrumental in a number of South African fighters receiving opportunities to fight for world titles. Amongst them was the first black South African to win a world title, Peter “Terror” Mathebula, who dethroned Tae Shik Kim in 1980 in Los Angeles to win the WBA flyweight crown, Brian Mitchell, who stopped Alfredo Layne in 1986 to win the WBA junior lightweight world title and went on to successfully defend it 12 times, and Piet Crous, who outboxed Ossie Ocassio for the WBA cruiserweight world title. Crous, incidentally, lost the title in his second defence to another International boxing hall of famer, Dwight Muhammad Quawi.

Christodoulou was first introduced into the sport in the early 1960’s by former universal bantamweight world title contender and empire champion, Willie Toweel. It was through Toweel’s encouragement that Christodoulou judged his first fight and he has never looked back since. Although he has been the man in the middle of many great world title matches and has officiated in bouts featuring the likes of Evander Hollyfield, Lennox Lewis, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, Thoma Hearns, Aaron Pryor just to name a few, his first world title fight is one he will never forget.

In 1973, Christodoulou was asked to step in as a replacement referee for the bantamweight world title bout between Romeo Anaya and Arnold Taylor in Johannesburg.

“It was a tremendous honour,” says Christodoulou, “to be able to referee my first world title fight in my own country was very special and hell what a fight it turned out to be.”

Both boxers went toe-to toe for the majority of the fight. Taylor stunned Anaya in round three and dropped him for an 8 count in round 5. Following three brutal rounds in which neither fighter gave an inch, it was Taylor’s turn to visit the canvas in round eight, as Anaya caught him with his vaunted left hook. Taylor groggily returned to his feet only to be dropped again with another vicious hook. Somehow finding the strength to stand up Taylor tried to clinch, but Anaya brushed him away and moved in for the kill. Before Anaya could land, however, Taylor sunk to his knees and Christodoulou correctly ruled it a legitimate knockdown as a result of the accumulative punishment he had taken.

To the disbelief of Anaya, Taylor again rose at the count of 8 and managed to survive the rest of the round. Taylor’s trainer was about to throw in the towel, but picked up his robe by accident, the delay allowing Taylor to be saved by the bell. In round nine the tables turned again as Taylor stunned Anaya and had him in serious trouble on the ropes when the bell brought relief to the world champion. In round ten three successive hooks by Anaya had Taylor down. Again he found the strength to rise to the occasion and battle the champion back. Rounds 11 –13 saw the men continue to pummel each other and by round 14 Taylor could hardly see out of his right eye. Fuelled on by the chants of his home crowd, Taylor caught Anaya with a left hook , “I could see he stiffened up” said Taylor after the fight. “Then I put everything I had into my right to his jaw. It landed pingg! And I felt the shock of the blow running up my arm, through my body and down my legs. I jumped way up in the air and didn’t even watch him fall.”

Taylor danced around the ring shouting ,” He’s gone, he’s gone.” Christodoulou kept shouting back at him to get into the neutral corner, but Taylor was overwhelmed with excitement and convinced he had won. “Anaya was never going to get up,” says Christodoulou, “but I wanted everything done right so only took up the count once Taylor went to a neutral corner.

It was unbelievable throughout the fight both boxers’ fortunes fluctuated. They both had tremendous guts and heart to stay in there. It was sensational in every respect. I could not have asked for a better first world title fight.” The Anaya – Taylor fight is still rated as one of the best bantamweight fights of all time and given his professional handling of the bout, Christodoulou was set for what has turned out to be one of the finest refereeing careers in the history of world boxing.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles15 hours ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending