Status: Former Boxing commissioner for the state of New Jersey.

Born On: December 7, 1944 In: Newark, NJ

Childhood Heroes: “Start with my mother Odelle. Jackie Robinson. Sugar Ray Robinson. Well, Joe Louis, of course.”

Hobbies/Interests: “The things I like to do…I’m an avid jogger. Horseback riding - I love it. Swimming. I also like to work in the garden too, flowers, do you believe that?!”

Favorite Movies: “Okay, hold it now…I don’t want to say Ali because I played (Zack Clayton, the referee in The Rumble In The Jungle) in it. White Heat with James Cagney. Also Ben-Hur.”

Musical Tastes: “Smooth jazz, David Benoit, Richard Elliott, Wayman Tisdale, Ramsey Lewis.”

Favorite TV Shows: “The Cosbys, old cowboy flicks.”

First Job: “Believe it or not, I was a newspaperboy. Me and my older brother Raymond delivered the daily newspaper, the Newark Evening News (age 12).”

Early Boxing Memory: “All the championship fights I refereed with Michael Spinks. Just being the third man in the ring with a number of his title fights in Atlantic City. He was very exciting, very explosive. He could score a knockout at any time. To referee Marvin Hagler - who went down in history as one of the greatest middleweight champions. I refereed one of his fights - against Caveman Lee (KO 1 in ‘81). Just the aura he had. There was something about him. They talk about that aura Mike Tyson had. Well, Marvin Hagler was similar to that. I could see the intensity he had. He had an aura just unlike some of the other champions I’ve been in the ring with. It was just a part of Marvin Hagler’s overall arsenal. I felt it as a referee. I’m sure it was felt by many of his opponents. It just emanated from him.”

Funny Boxing Memory: “One time a guy got hit and shit on himself. I was refereeing a six-round preliminary fight. I think it was at Resorts in the early ’80’s. The guy got hit with a body shot and he actually shit on himself. When he walked back to his corner at the end of the round, I could see his gold trunks were soiled in the back. And he continued the fight, too.”

Favorite Meal: “Turkey wings with dressing, cranberry sauce, collard greens and string beans.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Butter pecan, without a doubt. Now you’re getting easy [smiles].”

Childhood Dream(s): “I wanted to be a doctor. That was supposed to be the epitome of an accomplished life. You save lives. Then when I started boxing (at age 13) I wanted to be a boxing champion.”

Boxing Memories: “I won three New Jersey Golden Gloves titles. The first year I won the 126 lb. novice. One year later I won the 147 lb. open. Then I won the 160 open. I fought at the National Golden Gloves in Chicago in 1963. That’s where I met Emanuel Steward. He was a little bantamweight. We were the same age. We became friends, shared some laughs. That was both of our first times away from home.”

Greatest Sports Moment(s): “I guess the greatest moment would be as a referee…my first world title fight as a referee, Hilmer Kenty-Sean O’Grady (1981 in Atlantic City). Felt like, once you reach that level, it’s like, you’ve arrived. And of course, the day I was appointed the boxing commissioner (for the state of N.J. in 1985) by ex-governor Tom Kean. That’s like the crowning jewel of it all.”

Most Painful Moment: “Was when a young fighter named Stefan Johnson…well, he didn’t die in the ring, but he died as a result of participating in a show in Atlantic City in 1999 (vs. Paul Vaden).”

Favorite Fights: “Now I certainly have to include Ward-Gatti I. Of course, Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier I. Tyson-Spinks - I guess it was short…but the destruction. Michael Spinks-Dwight Qawi - battle of the undefeateds. I was the referee in that fight. Of course, Larry Holmes against Renaldo Snipes. Ooooh man, when he had Larry hurt. Larry Holmes was unbelievable.”

Favorite Boxing Movies: “Requiem For A Heavyweight, Somebody Up There Likes Me.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “Florida. Orlando. I like Disney World.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “I like to see honesty. And integrity. And I like to see a person who’s personable and serious. Someone who doesn’t allow someone to take them for granted. And someone who scrutinizes people very carefully and not allow themselves to be so approachable by anyone and everyone. Especially in boxing…you can’t be too approachable. Play it safe.”