By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former world championship referee Pete Podgorski talks to Fightnews.com® about his life in boxing as a boxer, referee and working on the Board of Directors with the International Boxing Federation.

You recently worked as IBF supervisor for the Beterbiev vs. Yarde unified light heavyweight title bout in London, England. Tell me about that experience.

“The light heavyweight unified title bout was a great match. It was an exciting all-action bout where the fans definitely got their money’s worth.”

What year were you elected to the International Boxing Federation Board of Directors? Tell me about working on the Board.

“I was elected in 2016 to the IBF Board. It has been great being a member and interesting working in boxing from a different perspective. One of the things I hoped to make a change was the second-day weigh-in. People would say to me that ‘You have been a boxer. Ten pounds across the board for boxers in every division isn’t logical. It’s not fair to the heavier weight classes.’ IBF President Daryl Peoples, who is always in favor of anything that’s an improvement, instructed me to work with IBF Doctors Paul Wallace and Massimiliano Bianco. Now, after working with the doctors, boxers must not gain more than 7% or 10 US pounds the day after they weigh in, whichever is higher, per the weight division they are contesting.

You come from a boxing family. Can you tell me who boxed in your family?

“My father Ray had one amateur fight. In his corner was NFL pro football legend Red Grange. In his opponent’s corner was NBA star George Mikan. My brothers Stan and Leo both boxed, amateur and pro for a short time. My two sons Mike and Mathew both boxed in the amateurs. Mike was unbeaten in eleven amateur bouts. Mike also had a few no-decision bouts, a few with his brother Matthew and one with Tom Zbikowski, who later briefly fought and was an undefeated professional along with playing college football for Notre Dame and then several years in the NFL. My son Michael was 11-0 and won a junior division title in the Chicago Park District tournament. My eldest son Mathew was 29-6 along with a few exhibition / no-decision bouts. Matthew was a Chicago Golden Gloves and Park District champion in 1997. Mathew was later a professional referee and judge. Matthew officiated a handful of world title matches as a judge and like his father was a proud member of the International Boxing Federation.

You boxed in the amateur and professional ranks. Can you tell me about your boxing career?

“My amateur record was 42-9 with one no-decision exhibition. I was the 1972 Chicago CYO novice welterweight champion, and 1973 Wisconsin Golden Gloves welterweight regional champion in a state tournament. In 1977, I won the 156-pound Chicago Park District open division defeating a very tough Allen “Muleman” Alexander who became a good professional, in what was my last amateur fight. The Chicago Park District open division championships were on national television.

Podgorski had victories over fellow amateur champions, most of who ended up fighting as professionals, Harold Scully Jr. Robert Hughes, Johnny Lira, Willie LaBoy, Warren Thunder, Lewis Velez, Frank McGovern, Stan Cooper, Enrique Maldonado, Rick Wilson, Jose Mendoza, Tony Ketchinakow and Billy Shane Page.

“I fought Johnny Lira three times, all three bouts were close decisions. Johnny getting the nod on two out of those three bouts. Lira became a world-rated professional and fought for a world title against Ernesto Espana.

“As a professional, I won a minor USA midwest regional light middleweight belt. I fought as a professional to keep in shape and to keep myself involved in the sport. Part-time is a tough way to box, but it kept me involved and I made some contacts that helped me eventually to become a professional referee. My final Pro record was 22-14-1 with 16 KOs

Podgorski lost close decisions to world-rated Harold Brazier, Jack Callahan, and Randy Mitchem

“As I mentioned, my primary goal for boxing as a professional was for two reasons. To stay in contact with the sport and to stay in shape. When I became a pro fighter, I was also working as a referee in the amateurs. By the time I started working as a professional referee, I had ten years of experience officiating amateur fights.”

What year did you start as a referee?

“I started refereeing amateur bouts at the age of 21. In 1987 I refereed my first professional bout. I refereed well over 1,000 amateur and professional fights from 1975 to 2016.

How many world championship fights did you work?

“I joined the IBF in 1989. In my officiating career, I have worked 65 world title bouts as a referee and judge. At IBF Conventions, I was involved in conducting two officiating seminars. One I conducted myself, the other I did as a team with world class officials Jack Reiss, Benji Estevez and Pat Russell, with our goal to help new boxing referees carry out the duties as the third man in the ring.

What countries have you worked in boxing?

“I have had the good fortune to travel to multiple locations working world title bouts. The first one was Kostya Tszyu vs. Jan Bergman which was in Sydney Australia. Australia is one of my favorite countries. I went to European countries approximately fifty times for intercontinental and world title matches. Denmark was one of the countries I visited. I worked a few of heavyweight Brian Nielsen’s title fights. France was the first country I worked as a referee. Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson was the world champion who fought in Marseille, France in 1993. The first world title bout I refereed was an IBO title bout featuring Chicagoland favorite Lenny Lapaglia. That fight was in Melrose Park, a suburb of Chicago. Other countries I worked in were Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Panama, Ireland, England, Germany, Holland, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, and the USA.

What fight stands out that you worked?

“I don’t know if I could pick one. You remember each fight that was big at the time.”