WBA’s 103rd Annual Convention Comes to a Close with Key Insights and Honors
The WBA’s 103rd Annual Convention came to a close at the Caribbean Royal Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The final day featured essential seminars for boxing officials, focusing on improving their skills. Judges and referees participated in hands-on training and insightful discussions to enhance their decision-making in the ring.
Judges’ Training Focuses on Mental Computation and Historic Bouts
The morning seminar for judges emphasized the philosophy of Tom Kaczmarek, a legendary judge and Hall of Famer. Kaczmarek, who retired in 2010, introduced his “mental computation” method for scoring fights. Judges practiced this technique with examples from memorable bouts, including Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal. They also discussed the challenge of avoiding “mercy rounds” when a judge feels obligated to score a round for a fighter out of fairness, not due to the fighter’s actual performance.
Referees Learn Key Safety Lessons and Modern Officiating Practices
After a short break, the referees’ seminar began, using video clips to demonstrate key officiating principles. A major focus was ensuring the ropes aren’t too tight, recalling the tragic death of Davey Moore in 1963. The discussion also covered when referees should stop a fight and who has the authority to make that decision. Bernard Hopkins, a former middleweight champion, joined the conversation, suggesting that referees consult with other officials in some situations.
Convention Concludes with Awards and Gratitude
The convention concluded with a ceremony honoring those who contributed to its success. WBA President Gilberto Mendoza Jr. expressed gratitude to everyone who helped make the event possible. He also reflected on the WBA’s accomplishments in 2024, including approving over 400 bouts and offering opportunities to more than 800 fighters. Mendoza emphasized the importance of balancing relationships with promoters, quoting former WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel..
