Nobody Loves Their Job As Much As Boxing Referee Steve Willis Loves His Job

Being a referee in a combat sport is an incredibly difficult, usually thankless job. It’s truly one of the most daunting tasks I could imagine taking on, as the health and safety of two human beings trying to hurt each other as badly as possible is put into their hands. Ideally, the competitors in the squared circle (or the octagon, for that matter) fight clean and fair, leaving little to the referee’s discretion, but always keeping their eyes and ears open for the ref if he or she feels the need to step in. In the case of a finish, it’s decisive, and the fight is stopped before any unnecessary damage is dealt to a combatant. In worst case scenarios, however, referees get between the action too late, and fighters are killed. Extreme, I know, but I did at “In worst case scenarios”, and fighters have died in the ring because of reckless officiating.

That being said, referees also have the best seat in the house for prize-fights, and nobody realizes that and takes advantage of it more than Steve Willis. Motherfucker LOVES the ref game more than I love anything. The only thing I even have that’s comparable is my love of his love of boxing. He’s ooo-ing and ahh-ing with every shot thrown, so mesmerized by the footwork of high-level fighters that his eyeballs are bulging out of his skull. He could take mushrooms and not look as fucked up as he does in the 20×20 while fists are being thrown. There’s no high for him like the high of the sweet science. You just have to appreciate the love of the game on display.

P.S. He’s also a really phenomenal and safe referee too, so that’s a massive plus. It’s not like he’s fucking around in there. Got your back Steve, love you.