Steve Smoger
American boxing referee who officiated over 200 title bouts and worked in more states and countries than any other boxing referee.
Steve Smoger, born August 15, 1943, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and died December 19, 2022, was a boxing referee who oversaw more than 200 title fights. He traveled more widely than any other referee in the sport's history, working bouts in more states and countries. Smoger also refereed kickboxing matches. Raised in Atlantic City, he graduated from Atlantic City High School, attended Penn State and George Washington University Law School, and in 1980 became Atlantic City's first full-time city prosecutor.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 15 August 1943
- Birthplace
- Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
- Died
- 19 December 2022
- Place of death
- Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
- Occupation
- Boxing and kickboxing referee, Municipal Court judge
- Other names
- Double S
Facts from the source article.
Background
Smoger graduated from Atlantic City High School and attended Pennsylvania State University and the George Washington University Law School. Appointed in 1980, he was the first full-time city prosecutor in the history of Atlantic City, serving until 1992, when he was appointed to the bench of the Atlantic County Municipal Court. From 2002 to 2005, he held the position of City Solicitor of Atlantic City. In 2005, he entered the private practice of law.
Smoger served as a member of the New Jersey Air National Guard and the United States Air Force Reserve, holding the position of Staff Judge Advocate and obtaining the rank of colonel. He retired after 30 years of service. On September 23, 1982, in New Jersey, Smoger was first licensed as a professional boxing referee by then Commissioner Jersey Joe Walcott. The happening marked the 30th Anniversary of Jersey Joe Walcott vs. Rocky Marciano for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the World held on September 23, 1952, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In August 2017, he was appointed the IBA Boxing Officials Committee co-chair.
Achievements
Smoger is a member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame – Class of 1997. In 2001, he was designated the World's Best Professional Boxing Referee by The Ring magazine. In 2010, he was recognized by the World Boxing Association as Referee of the Year. In 2013 he was recognized by the International Boxing Association as the Referee of the Year.
Smoger is also a member of the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame – Class of 2013, as well as a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame - class of 2014. On June 14, 2015, Smoger received the highest honor in the sport of professional boxing when he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame, Class of 2015, in Canastota, New York. On May 27, 2017, in Atlantic City, Smoger became the first professional boxing referee to be inducted into the newly created Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, joining Don King and Michael Spinks among other inductees.
Notable fights
Smoger officiated the bouts featuring such professional boxers as Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield, Ray Mercer, Steve Cunningham, John Ruiz, Roberto Durán, Hector Camacho, Roy Jones Jr., James Toney, Mike McCallum, Vinny Pazienza, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Marcos Maidana, Félix Trinidad, Micky Ward, Arturo Gatti, Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, Vernon Forrest, Diego Corrales, Kelly Pavlik, Andre Ward, Gennady Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev, Denis Lebedev, Bernard Hopkins, Lucia Rijker, Christy Martin, as well as a host of Philadelphia fighters including Gabe Rosado, Danny García, among others.
The list of notable bouts Smoger officiated includes: Shane Mosley vs. Vernon Forrest I, Bernard Hopkins vs. Félix Trinidad, Jermain Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik I, Roy Jones Jr. vs. Bernard Hopkins, Micky Ward vs. Emanuel Burton I - 2001 Ring magazine Fight of the Year, Andre Ward vs. Carl Froch - Super Six World Boxing Classic Final, and Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito II.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Steve Smoger born?
Steve Smoger was born on 15 August 1943 in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
When did Steve Smoger die?
Steve Smoger died on 19 December 2022 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
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