Boxing referee found dead in London hotel room!

I don't have much information on this story but I feel it's an incident that should be heard so I'm going to write a bit about it anyway. Apologies if the article is a bit short...


A boxing official has revealed that Turkish referee Garip Erkuyumcu was found dead by a colleague in his London hotel room on Thursday. A heart attack is the expected cause of the death and the autopsy results are expected some time today (July 27th). The news was revealed by Turkish Boxing Federation chief Bayram Altug.


Erkuyumcu, 73, was a member of the International Boxing Federation's refereeing and judging commission and was expected to be assisting referee's at the London 2012 Olympics that officially start today. The 73-year-old's body will be flown to Turkey at some stage next week.

Our best wishes and condolences go out to Garip Erkuyumcu's family and friends at this tough time.

Haye Vs Chisora: Referee and Judges announced!

Mickey Vann refereeing Khan Vs Fagan.

The LBF (Luxembourg Boxing Federation) have confirmed the officials for the controversial heavyweight showdown between David Haye and Dereck Chisora at Upton Park on July 14th.

The three judges that have been selected are John Coyle (UK), Paul Thomas (UK), Luc Muller (Luxembourg).

The referee that has been chosen could cause a little more controversy, but not much. The LBF have selected Mickey Vann, who is now 68-years old. Vann was forced to retire as BBBofC referee as the age limit is 65. He is still allowed to judge and referee international shows that have nothing to do with the British Board but seeing as this fight is in the UK, the Board might get just a little annoyed.

Vann claims that even at his age, he will have no problem refereeing a bout that could be very eventful and at times maybe even dirty.

"I still referee and did a tough 12-rounder in Ukraine last month," told Vann.

Haye Vs Chisora is quickly approaching and tickets are selling out fast. Tickets for 'Licensed To Thrill' are available at http://www.eventim.co.uk/ , http://www.whufc.com/ and http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ .

All of the action from the show will also be shown live on BoxNation (SKY & VIRGIN 456). The channel only costs £10 a month and you will be able to view every fight and programme that the channel shows. You can subscribe at http://www.boxnation.com/ .

The Prediction League has returned! Enter Here!

Lopez Apologises To Referee

Juan Manuel Lopez suffered his second loss of his career on Saturday night to the same man who handed him his first defeat, Orlando Salido. The two battled out it out in a toe-to-toe slug-fest for 10 rounds until the referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. ended the bout by awarding a TKO win to Salido.

The fight is currently the leading candidate for fight of the year as both fighters gave it their all and had everyone in the crowd on their feet for most of the fight. Lopez was happy with his own performance and credited Salido for being a tough fighter but he stated that he was very disappointed with the referee who he claimed suffers a very bad gambling problem.

''The referee stopped the fight because he has gambling problems'' said Lopez to Showtime's Jim Gray. ''I told the Commission the referee was a gambler, and they did wrong as putting him as the referee. It was very irresponsible for putting him as the referee knowing he has a gambling problem.''

Lopez quickly and publicly apologised for saying what he did.

Roberto Ramirez Sr.

''For my part, I apologise to Roberto for comments I had made after the fight with Salido... Roberto is one of the best referees in the world. He did a great job and I appreciate that I was protected because I was definitely hurt!'' Lopez announced in a statement by PR Best Boxing Promotions.

Orlamdo Salido was very happy with his win and said that he knew he had to win by knockout or beat Lopez decisively to win in Lopez's hometown Puerto Rico and the judges scorecards proved him right. When the fight ended, Michael Pernick and Cesar Ramos had Lopez ahead by 86-84 and Danny Nelson had it level at 85-85 even though Salido landed 235 punches compared to Lopez who landed 135. Salido now has a record of (38-11-2, 26 KOs).

It looks unlikely the two fighters will meet for a third time although both said they are willing to as Salido is looking to face Mikey Garcia who recently stopped Bernabe Concepcion in the seventh round.