By Jeff Zimmerman
Hall of Fame Referee Richard Steele shared his memories of Hagler-Hearns 36 years ago today. Steele recounts his last encounter with Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard at the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame a few years ago, talked about his life in boxing where he has crossed paths with Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Ken Norton and the GOAT Muhammad Ali. Steele also discussed his foundation and boxing club, the big win from fellow Marine Jamel Herring and managing his super middleweight fighter out of Guatemala, Lester Martinez.
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Legendary and humble Referee…
Very good referee. Impossible to think about him with thinking about Taylor-Chavez…
Well said. That was such a controversial stoppage to that fight. I wish with only seconds left of the fight before the stoppage, they should have let Taylor finish and be given his victory and the credit he deserved. Taylor fought his a@# off in that fight. I had Taylor ahead on points when I scored it myself.
However, let’s not forget about the gifted draw Chavez was given when Pernell Whitaker gave him a great boxing lesson on his turf. Yes, Chavez had his magical moments of controversial gifts when he faced tough fighters.
Yep, I felt really bad for Taylor to be that close to a career-best win, only to have it taken away with two seconds left. Looking back on it now though, it’s understandable why Steele made the call he did. Taylor’s face was a mess, and he looked out of it. Steele said something to the effect of: “I don’t care about the clock. When I see a man who’s had enough, I’m stopping the fight”. Hard to argue with that. Tough call there. I can see both sides of the argument.
I was never able to forgive RS for the Taylor stoppage. Taylor is one of my favorite all time fighters and he was ruined after Steeles bad call. Not too long after, he rescues Tyson against Razor R. Def a Don King ref.
I am always in strong support of good U.S. Marines (former and active) who believe in maximum effort.
Great guy, great referee, but I believe he dropped the ball in the Taylor vs. Chavez fight.A ⁸human error, nothing else, we all human nake mistakes. A single command ” stay in your corner” and everything could have been different I guess. Nonetheless, Steele ..one of my favorite referees, a good man. God bless him
– -Duva illegally on the ring apron screaming in Steele and Taylor’s ears automatic DQ in most every jurisdiction the call Steele missed.
He also missed the auto DQ when Uncle Roger stormed the Ring to get at Zab that sparked a ring riot.
To be fair, both were no win situations for Steele where the sheer level of mayhem and noise triggers survival logic instead of officious regulatory response, and Steele definitely a survivor .