Boxing: Ref to take hard line on holding in big fight

By PETER JESSUP

LAS VEGAS - Heavyweight title fight referee Joe Cortez has signalled to both Lennox Lewis' and David Tua's camps that he will not tolerate any holding in their world title bout.

His call has made the Tua camp very happy because holding is just what they expect from Lewis.

Tua's handlers believe Lewis will use his height and weight advantage to try to smother Tua, to frustrate him, to prevent him getting off his big shots, especially if the fight goes into late rounds.

Cortez said he would be having none of that. The 47-year-old will be governing his 135th fight on Sunday and is rated one of boxing's top three officials, with Richard Steele and Larry O'Connell.

He will go to both fighters' dressing-rooms before the event and lay down the law. He will tell them how he wants the fight to go and will stress any points he believes are important.

"I use verbal commands," he said. "It's easier on the referee and it's also more effective if they know you're serious about enforcing the rules.

"If I tell them beforehand not to hold and they ignore that, then I will take a point away. They're going to be very aware of that and they generally won't hold too much."

Cortez has refereed Tua and Lewis before. He knows what to expect, and does not expect Lewis to hold.

Cortez is fit, strong, does not hesitate to get between fighters to break them apart if he has to, and has 20 years of experience in doing that.

Tua is not dwelling on the holding issue, nor Lewis' seven-inch height and 15-inch reach advantage.

He does not like the size difference being dubbed an advantage.

"Fighting big guys is nothing new for me.

"As an amateur light-heavyweight I fought heavyweights and super-heavyweights, and those guys were all bigger, taller, had longer reach and way more pounds than me.

"All through my career I've fought guys who are bigger in every way," he said.

The three judges, Jerry Roth, Chuck Giampia and Dave Moretti, are all veterans of big fights.

Nevada State Athletic Commission director Marc Ratner, who has overall control of the fight and appointed the referee and judges, is sure he has the right combinations to determine a fair outcome.

Herald Online feature: Tua v Lewis

The Herald Online is ringside for the countdown to David Tua's tilt at the world heavyweight boxing title. Reporter Peter Jessup and photographer Kenny Rodger bring you all the news, inside information and pictures, leading up to this Sunday afternoon's showdown in Las Vegas.

* Be sure to get your full-colour poster of the two fighters in the print edition of the Herald on Friday November 10.