PHOTO:
John Phillips presents a trophy to James Probert

 
If there is someone with a greater involvement in their chosen sport than John Phillips then we would like to meet him because the retired postman from Narberth has been involved in amateur boxing for 43 years as a referee and judge - and is now official in charge of all shows held in the South West Region of Welsh Amateur Boxing
 
That means that he takes responsibility for shows as far afield as Aberystwyth and Blaengwynfi, from Carmarthen to Pembroke. It was at once such event that we bumped into John as he took charge of a recent show at the De Valence Pavilion in Tenby.
 

Amazing 12,000 bouts

 
Small wonder then that in those years he has refereed over 40,000 rounds in over 12,000 bouts and has officiated at all the major championships other than the Olympic Games, where he has twice been on the reserve list for officials but no-one has dropped out to give him the chance his effort and experience deserves.
 
His amazing boxing journey has taken him all over Europe, Canada and the USA and a range of other places in over four decades - and he still enjoys his involvement now, particularly with regard to nurturing some of the promising younger referees and judges who have come forward in recent years.
 

Some stars encountered

 
"I don't do as much refereeing as I used to do," admitted John, "because I want some of our newer officials to get in their training years before I finally step down some time in what I hope will be the distant future.
 
"But I still do a couple of senior bouts because they need a little more careful watching and experience certainly helps there, especially if they decide to box without head guards once they have finished their time as novice boxers.
I reffed heavyweight bouts involving David Haye, Herbie Hyde, Henry Akinwande and Scott Gammer when they were amateurs, and a host of other very good youngsters before they turned professional.”

 
Calm assurance based on experience

 
There is a calm assurance about John whenever he takes to the ring and he makes sure that both boxers know who is in charge from the outset, with his clear-cut commands and signals which leave the audience in no doubt what he is asking of the boxers at all times.
 
"Sometimes the seniors might get a little carried away with themselves but they soon calm down," said John, "and they have to learn quickly that boxing is a very disciplined sport. A quiet early word usually pays off but if it doesn't then it is important to get them in their corner with their trainer for a few words of advice.
 
"One of the problems can sometimes be an over-eager parent getting carried away and coming ring-side to shout advice which is often based on nothing other than desperately wanting their boy to win.
"They have to be made to get out of that area quickly and not get so involved that they lose common-sense, and most are co-operative once they are told about it."
 

Started a long time ago with great characters

 
It all seems a long time ago now since John started out in boxing after a chance conversation. He had played some cricket, football and rugby in his formative years. He went with a pal to watch a local boxing show and enjoyed it immensely.
 
He met up there by chance with Jack Davey, one of the officials from Swansea and a gentleman in every way, who mentioned to John that the South Western Region was on the look-out for new officials. Before he knew it John was involved in practical training and travelling all over the region with Jack, Tom Burgess and Ray Allen, the Hon Secretary of the Welsh ABA. 
 

Much travelled – and very busy!

 
In the intervening years since 1971 John has been involved in some capacity in all those shows and as well as those countries mentioned at the outset has been a referee in France, Norway, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary and Germany and nearer home he has officiated at well over 100 Welsh Finals, including 21 seniors, which is certainly a post-war record and might be the most ever in Wales.
 
Then there's been seven British Finals he has been involved in at venues like London, Birmingham and Liverpool - and a proud moment when he was awarded a special medal to commemorate his involvement, which was presented by legendary Welsh boxer Jack Peterson at a show in the old Butlin’s Holiday Camp at Barry Island.
 

Baton carrier for the Commonwealth Games

 
In 1994 John was chosen as an official for the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, and then again in Scotland, where there was a far more relaxed attitude. He has also been honoured with carrying the baton for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, where he will carry it from Dylan Thomas's boathouse into Laugharne in recognition of his work for amateur boxing.
 
John has also refereed in an amazing five European Boxing Finals, three in Hungary, plus others in Edinburgh and London, plus two Olympic Games trials in Liverpool and Greece.
"If I have a disappointment amongst so many wonderful moments and meeting some pretty terrific sportsmen I suppose it would have to be the fact that I missed out on the Olympics," John told us, "because it has to every sports players' and administrator's dream to be there at some time."
 
"But I have been very lucky in what I have accomplished  and I wouldn't have missed one second of it, despite all the travel around some interesting venues across South Wales and much further afield."
 

And finally . . .

 
With that there was a characteristic smile from John Phillips and he excused himself because it was time for him to referee a senior bout between boxers from Tenby and Merlins Bridge where there was indeed two eager combatants and a vociferous father into the bargain.
All were dealt with in his usual quiet, but strong way and perhaps it was no coincidence that in the final analysis the protagonists each received a second trophy for being involved in what was decided to be the 'Best Bout of the Evening'!