Third Man in the Ring: 33 of Boxing's Best Referees and Their Stories Hardcover – February 1, 2013

Coming from a boxing family, it is interesting to read about the perspective of the referee in this book. I've watched many boxing matches and other events but until now haven't read about it from the referees side of it. There's three sides to every story from the participants in a boxing match when you take the referees opinion into consideration. It is also great to get updates on past legendary referees like Richard Steele and Mills Lane as well as stories about todays top referees like Las Vegas's Kenny Bayless and Robert Byrd. I highly recommend this book!

It's a great concept but the author didn't go far enough. There are 33 refs in this book. Sounds like you're getting a lot but it would have been better to present half as many and give twice as much space to each. Each guy gets about 6 pages and some of those paragraphs are just lists of names (ie:bouts). There are a few paragraphs devoted to bio, a few where the subject is talking about boxing (in a very basic way, as if the author's interview was done during a 30 minute phone conversation) and then a couple of closing paragraphs. Very thin on the information. Break up the book and you have 33 beginning wikipedia articles and not much more.

I really did enjoy reading it and one of the referees is my cousin Ms. Sparkle Lee she is a wonderful referee. I've attended quite afew of her fights and she really is one of the best referees in the sport today and its wondetful to see a wonan that works just as hard as a man is the sport. congradulations miss. Sparkle Lee.

A plethora of Boxing History and the acknowledgement of key fights that make this sport so wonderful. Great education for an upcoming Referee or Judge. Thanks.

"Third Man in the Ring"33 of Boxing's Best Referees and Their Stories(Potomac Books)"Now both of you touch gloves...I leave it with you." Those were the final instructions of veteran referee Frank Cappuccino before the beginning of the first Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti fight. A brutal trilogy that would generate so much blood and cash that the Red Cross and Hollywood both took notice. But without the "third man," that night wouldn't have been possible. Even though these guys are in the center of the ring, along side the boxers,They hide in plain sight, the good ones are almost invisible.Potomac Books latest boxing installment, "Third Man in the Ring. 33 of Boxing's Best Referees and Their Stories" gives even the most astute fan an insiders look rarely.Of all that has been written about the sport of Boxing, the role of the referee is often marginalized. Which is Interesting, since no gets closer to the action than the Ref (without getting hit). Since Arthur Mercante's "Inside the Ropes" (McBooks Press,2007) very little time has been devoted to the subject."Third Man in the Ring" helps bridge that gap. Here's an example, how many readers are aware the Carlos Padilla the man in charge of the "Thrilla in Manilla," the third meeting of Ali-Frazier and(arguably the greatest heavyweight title fight in the history of boxing) stood only 5'8" and weighed a mere 160 lbs? By the time the fight was stopped at the end of the 14th round Padilla had blisters on his feet form the heat and maintaining order. What was it like to be there when the late Mills Lane tried to restore order after a parachutist flew into the ring of the Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield fight?Now the reader will.Those were big fights with big names, but authors Mike Fitzgerald and Patrick Morely also do an exemplary job of featuring officials with less notoriety but have stepped on as much blood as the ones mentioned above. Robert Byrd, Eddie Cotton, Kenny Bayless and more are all given the recognition they deserve.Two welcomed, though unexpected entries to "Third Man in the Ring" are the additions of Sparkle Lee and "Big" John McCarthy. Lee, obtained notoriety when she became the first female referee in the New York City Gloves and McCarthy who started the chief official for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) the leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion in the world. Both share their unique journey in the sport."Third Man in the Ring" is an entertaining read. It a fascinating chronicle about the times, the fights and the fighters by the people who were part of the action and better yet, remember it.John Spehar Boxing Rating: Standing Eight.To purchase "Third Man in the Ring. 33 of Boxing's Best Referees and Their Stories." can be purchased at your local bookseller or through Potomac Books at [...]See you at the fights!~John Spehar

Reading about an area of boxing which largely goes undocumented is always very appealing to me and I was not disappointed in this collection of referees' stories. Some chapters were slightly on the short side but this just goes to illustrate my interest in knowing more. Great selection of mini-bios and it does a great job in highlighting the responsibilities of the referee; one of many roles the spectators take for granted. Excellent book.....

an interesting collection of jottings on thirty-odd referees.itwould have been hepful if at least a mugshot of each ref. had been included. hopefully the authors will put pen to paper and expand aome of these brief sketches.