11,000 bouts for John –
and still going strong
When Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing Club held its annual pre-Christmas show at the Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, the man who took control of all ten bouts as referee was John Phillips and throughout the evening he showed his vast experience, with clear instructions to boxers that the crowd would also understand.
He has a ready rapport with the boxers and trainers, with respect earned over a long period of time, and a calm, unflappable but no-nonsense approach that only comes with knowing your role in a sport which demands great care since boxers, especially the younger ones, need someone in the ring they can trust to look after them.
Long career in boxing
John is now past his 70th birthday but still retains the fitness levels and enthusiasm for his refereeing of a man 20 years his junior – and there is no doubt that John Phillips can lay a strong claim to being the most experienced amateur boxing official, not only in Wales but throughout the United Kingdom and even Europe or the rest of the world!
For in a career spanning over 30 years he has refereed at over ELEVEN THOUSAND bouts at every level except the Olympic Games, although he has officiated at the official trials for Great Britain alongside Welsh, British, European and World Championships, Commonwealth Games and many multi-national events.
But even nicer to report is the fact that John enjoys local shows every bit as much and has recently been involved at both Merlins Bridge, Tenby and Cardigan, as well as Pembroke, not only as a referee alongside another top ref in Billy Jones (Clydach) but also as official in charge of the tournaments, lending his vast experience in making sure that the shows ran smoothly on the boxing side of things.
Sporting Quiz expert - and championships galore
John has always been a sports aficionado and many years ago was a successful candidate on Hughie Green’s ‘Double Your Money’ show, naturally answering questions on boxing. He took up his involvement as a referee with the old Western Division of the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association in 1973 and has been involved in an amazing 1,100-plus shows and tournaments.
“I’ve refereed at close on 90 internationals and also at 20 Welsh senior finals, 35 Welsh Youth Finals and 50 Welsh schoolboy finals, as well as 18 British Finals at schoolboy, youth and senior levels,” he said, “whilst I took charge of the first-ever women’s bout in the UK in 1976 at the Dairies’ Club in Whitland, which was a little different. In my time I was also referee in amateur bouts involving Herbie Hyde and Henry Akinwanda before both went on to win world titles as professionals.”
Undoubted highlights
“One of the undoubted highlights was to be chosen as an official at the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada in 1994, a brilliant experience as a referee and judge in a lovely country. I have also been lucky to be asked to officiate at 15 other multi-national tournaments in Denmark, Norway (twice), Romania, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Sweden and Hungary, as well as in England.
“I would love to go to an Olympic Games but I have reffed at the European Championships in 1998, 2004 and 2006, plus the Olympic and European trials for British boxers at Liverpool in 2000, and again in 2004.”
Boxing has ‘acceptable risks’
Ask John about amateur boxing and he would be quick to emphasize the way that safety rules are carefully adhered to and care is taken to look after young boxers.
“I accept that there is a risk but that is the same in any sport, including rugby and football, motor sports and horse racing. I am proud of the good sportsmanship that exists in amateur boxing, with a great deal of mutual respect and camaraderie amongst amateur boxers that other sports would do well to follow, as well as the self-discipline needed in accepting disappointing results.”
And John should know what he is talking about because as well as the other achievements mentioned here he has also been a referee or judge at British ABA Finals in 1985, 1988 and 1993, as well as five semi-finals, refereed Wales versus Ireland on seven occasions and Wales versus Scotland an amazing nine times. Add England versus Germany (twice), France and the USA (twice) and it is easy to see that John has a quite superb track record in his sport.
Local recognition
Small wonder then that he was nominated and short-listed in the top three for outstanding services to sport in the Carmarthen Sports Awards for 1998, 1999 and 2000 for his participation at shows put on by clubs in the county. But it is refreshing to report that John Phillips lays more importance on the fact that he is known and looked up to by every young boxer in West Wales because he never misses a tournament – and long may he continue to build on his unparalleled record in boxing shows in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Great Britain and anywhere else in the world he is asked to play a key role in amateur boxing!
