Narberth boxing referee John Phillips has just returned from two memorable events.
Early in June he went to the Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, where many boxing greats of yesteryear were present. The older generation would remember such names at Carmen Basilio, Gene Fullmer, Jake Lamatta, George Chuvalo, Carlos Ortiz and, of course, the great Marvin Hagler.
John's proudest moment was when he was asked to do a 15-minute interview with former world light-heavyweight champion in the '70s, Mathew Saad Muhammed, who beat our own great champion, John Conteh, twice. It went out on Sky television a few nights later.
As soon as John arrived back from America, he was told he had been chosen to referee at the European Championships in Hungary. So, after just unpacking his bags, he was off again and was voted one of the top referees at this prestigious event, where over 17 European countries were represented.
Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, Austria, Turkey, Estonia, among many others, were there, while Wales took a team of five boxers who returned with a tally of three bronze medals. It was a great eight days and weIl worth the trip.
With many other internationals coming up, Narberth's world boxing referee will be ready to leave at any moment.