by Krysti Rosario, Kevina Franklin and Christy Halbert

When boxers understand the rules of the sport they can better score points and avoid losing points, and enjoy the sport more fully. Recently, Coach Christy Halbert, Chair of the USAB Women's Task Force, had a conversation with two national-level officials, who also serve on the USAB Women's Task Force: Kevina Franklin, Level III official from Atlanta, Georgia, and Krysti Rosario, Level III official from Los Angeles, California.

CH: What are the three most common fouls you see on the local level?

KR: I'd say slapping, holding, and pushing.

KF: I agree, I see various holding manuevers, holding and pushing most often.

CH: Are these different than the most common fouls you see on the National level?

KR: On the National level the boxers are more experienced, so there's not as much fouling. However you still see fouls. Hopefully the boxers are cleaner.

KF: I still see harm fouls, like low blows, hitting on the back of the head and behind the back. Holding and slapping are also seen. Pushing is less common. It seems like the higher you go the more strictly rules are observed. I think coaches and boxers learn that you have to tighten it up on the national level.

CH: You both alluded to less fouling on the National level. Why would this be important? When refereeing, how are you affected by a boxer who fouls a lot?

KR: Well, as a referee it's nice to have a clean bout where you can focus on the bout. If you have a lot of holding, low head, low blows, and the boxers do things because they are out of shape or are out-matched, it's ugly, and the referee can't get control, then it looks bad and it's harder to judge.

KF: I've learned that harm fouls often occur when less-serious infractions are not immediately addressed. I think boxers rely on the referee. Boxers and coaches and officials are all part of the same team. If the boxers and coaches think they aren't being treated fairly, it's the official's job to make sure that rules are followed and everyone's treated fairly. The referee rights wrongs, and if the referee doesn't, then the boxer often handles a slap or a push themselves. It's the referee's job to make sure things go smoothly.

CH: Krysti, you mentioned that the bout is harder to judge. How might a judge be affected by a boxer who fouls a lot?

KR: For me, it's so nice when boxers are clean and advanced, and you can watch the bout and see each blow. As a judge, it makes me more confident on the winner. But then again this is not always realistic and as an official I need to be ready to judge any kind of bout with the correct winner as the outcome.

KF: Yes, and when a boxer fouls a lot it's heart-breaking. If you are holding and throw a blow, even if you knock someone down, you don't get the point. Fouling makes a boxer's punches obsolete. A lot of effort goes into the match, but if a boxer is fouling they aren't competing to the best of their ability.

CH: Sometimes coaches and spectators get irritated when fouls are called. Why is it so important to call fouls against a boxer who is breaking the rules?

KR: First of all, I think all coaches and boxers should be up-to-date on the rules. If there is a low blow, and we stop the bout for an eight-count, many times we are booed for this because people don't understand that this is only to give the boxer time to recover from the harm foul, and does not reflect on the boxer.

KF: That's right, a lot of spectators don't realize that in amateur boxing the referee's primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of the boxers. There is a difference between a regular standing-eight count and a compulsory count, and boxer who fouls puts the other boxer in jeopardy.

KR: Basically it's important to give cautions and warnings, to keep the boxing safe. Safety is #1 when you are refereeing. I would also add that it's not fair for boxers to foul, and it's not fair when a boxer wins because he or she was fouling. On the national level, boxers should know the rules, and know how to box cleanly.

KF: From a referee's standpoint, a tiny problem, when handled immediately, will make things go smoothly in the bout.

KR: Yes, the bout is for the boxers, an opportunity for the boxers to showcase their talent. The bout isn't for the referee, and over-refereeing can interrupt the flow of the bout.

KF: I agree. The referee is part of the dynamic. There's a fine line between doing a good job as a referee, and/or under-officiating and over-officiating.

CH: Both of you have a great deal of experience in local, regional and national bouts. What brought you to Olympic-style boxing in the first place?

KR: I was a boxer, first. When I stopped boxing I still wanted to be involved closely in the sport. I had that competitive spirit, and wanted a way to feel the excitement while also helping affect the sport positively. I referee and judge. I prefer to referee.

KF: I grew up around it, watching my parents officiate. I saw how they held so much respect and love for the sport itself, and the way they did their job was so inspiring to me, that I wanted to try it. I love the technical aspects of the sport.

CH: We need more officials in the sport to continue to improve our ranks and assist other volunteers. Do you have any ideas about recruiting officials into Olympic-style boxing?

KR: At shows and tournaments someone could announce that we need officials, and tell people that there are many opportunities to get involved. Also, when they know there's a clinic, announce for people to come to the announcer's table and get more information.

KF: I also like the idea of introducing people to the sport through promotional materials that we can hand out during career week in high schools and middle schools. We can talk about what we like about the sport. Conversation is the main thing, and back that up with documented materials. We can let people know about educational opportunities through clinics, and I would recommend officials going to coaches' clinics. Here at shows in Georgia we sometimes invite people from the audience to sit next to an official to mock-judge, watch the timekeeper, or watch the clerk. They learn a little about the job and we encourage them to become involved in the sport, and they can talk to other spectators a little about what the officials do. I think that helps develop the team environment.

CH: Thank you, Krysti and Kevina, for your thoughts on fouls and officiating. I hope to see you both at US Championships in June.