Hall of Fame referee Joe Cortez speaks on what he did for Conor McGregor ahead of his fight with Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
Joe Cortez is well known to boxing fans having officiated many world title fights down through the years that has seen him elected to the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
His popular catchphrase ‘I’m fair but I’m firm’ has frequented many of the sport’s big time battles.
Some fight fans will remember him refereeing Mayweather’s battle with Ricky Hatton a few years back.
A fight where Hatton to this day feels he wasn’t given a fair crack of the whip because of constantly be broken up by Cortez from Mayweather when trying to work in close.
Indeed Hatton has said coming into this weekend’s bout between Mayweather and McGregor that Irishman McGregor will need a referee who lets the fight go to have any chance.
McGregor essentially hired Cortez a while back to make sure he was briefed fully on pro boxing rules ahead of his professional debut as a boxer.
Given the fact Cortez is known for his strict policing of fights, it might have been a wise move although time will tell if it has any benefit for him.
Joe Cortez spoke to the Mac Life YouTube channel (hat tip) on what exactly he’s done for McGregor leading into the fight:
