SA ref Dwarte to handle Joshua ’ s title defence
SA referee Deon Dwarte will become the second South African to referee a world heavyweight title bout when he handles Anthony Joshua s defence in London next weekend
’
It came as a bit of a surprise to me
“‚” Dwarte said on Friday, before jetting out to Britain, where he will have to stay in a biobubble for the week building up to the fight on Saturday.
He received a call last week asking if he was available to handle the bout but he thought
‚ he would be one of the three judges. Then the appointment letter came naming
‚ him the third man in the ring.
I must admit I am a bit nervous but once “‚ the first bell goes, I ll be fine he said.
’ ‚”
The last time a South African official handled a world title contest was way back in October 1981, when Stan Christodoulou one
‚ of Dwarte s mentors took charge in the WBA
’ ‚ contest between Mike Weaver and James Tillis.
The WBA was one of only two sanctioning bodies at that time but Joshua holds three of
‚ the main four belts the WBA IBF and
— ‚
WBO crowns as well as the IBO title. Tyson
‚
Fury is the WBC champion.
Spectators will be allowed into the Wembley Arena to watch Joshua face Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev the first time there will be a live
‚ gate in England since the lockdown started. I think 1 000 will be let in father-of-two “‚ ‚”
Dwarte 51, said.
‚
Imagine if Joshua had a full crowd. He ’ d
“pack 60 000 70 000.
‚ ‚ ‚
At least there ll only be 1 000 people to “’ ‚ abuse me he added with a chuckle.
‚”
He is his harshest critic.
I ll record my fights and watch. I ’ m very
“’ critical of myself.
Im very judgmental. I ll see something
“’ ’ and say why did you do that?’. I ’ m always
‘ spotting mistakes.”
Dwarte a deputy director at the Western
‚
Cape department of community safety was a
‚ useful amateur boxer in his day fighting in
‚ the same military team as GaryMurray who
‚ went on to win a marginal world title as a professional.
He earned provincial colours with Griqualand West and won light-flyweight silver at the 1988 SA Defence Force championships
‚ when they were famously competitive. After he became an official he and his peers
‚ were held back by then Western Cape boxing head Mickey Klaas who groomed them
‚ slowly and didn t rush them into big fights.
’
Dwarte judged his first SA title bout after five years and his first assignment as a referee in a national title fight came another two years later.
Mickey knew when to expose us.”
“
He learnt from several top officials in Cape Town but Christodoulou was always the ultimate
‚ standard-setter.
We all used to watch Stan Christodoulou. “
The guy [Christodoulou] used to move beautifully in the ring.”
He also admires the footwork of East London s Lulama Mtya.
’
I like to watch fights but I don t watch the “‚ ’ fight I watch the referee.”