Expert: Lian Shoemake - 2/25/2008

Question
I am a football coach, but would like to get involved in the sport of boxing as a judge.  I understand that I have to register with USA Boxing and the local boxing commission, but do you recommend this route if I want to work my way into professional judging, like for the major sanctioning fights?  If I do get registered with my LBC, how do I get to practice the judging at local events?

Thanks, Coach Daugherty

Answer
Hi John,
Thanks for the questions.

There are different schools of thought as to whether one needs to officiate in amateur boxing prior to embarking on a pro career. I believe that the amateur experience is extremely valuable, and I recommend it.
Your LBC's chief-of-officials should help develop a training plan for you, part of which will likely involve you practicing judging at the local LBC events prior to you earning your certification.

As far as the pros go, that process is determined by your state's athletic /boxing commission. I don't know which state you're in, so you'll want to contact that commission and possibly pose the same questions to them.
Again, I feel all experience is valuable, and the emphasis on recognizing clean, scoring blows in the amateur scoring system would benefit a prospective pro official as well.

I hope this helps, John.
Thanks again for writing!

Regards,
Lian