Narberth’s John Phillips is about to call time on a remarkable career as one of the leading world boxing referees.

John, who has refereed on most of the world's continents, began his international career in 1978 when he officiated at the England v Wales match in Hastings, Sussex.

“This will be my 50th year in Welsh boxing and after visiting many countries around the world refereeing the World Championships, Commonwealth games and European Championships as well as two Olympic qualifiers and 12,000 plus bouts - I can now take it easy!” he told the Observer.

During that time, John has visited all the Nordic countries - Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, as well as most other European countries, such as Germany, Italy, Bulgaria and France; and has refereed at all the major championships during his illustrious career, World, European five times, Commonwealth and two Olympic qualifying events.

John has listed his five best moments he has had in boxing:

• Refereeing the first girls’ bout in Britain in October 1977 in Whitland between Mari Leafe and Mari Davies - multiples of press were there at a very enjoyable night.

• Winning the Carmarthenshire award for outstanding service to sport in 2015 after coming runner-up three times

• Refereeing two Great Britain bouts v Ireland in 1992 and at the WBC boxing convention in Cardiff in 2010 vs the Rest of the World where Roberto Duran, Klitchko, Bonecrusher Smith and many others were present.

• Carrying the Commonwealth baton with the Queen’s message inside the baton from Dylan Thomas writing shed to his house, a great honour watched by crowds of people along the route in 2014.

• Refereeing at all the majors in boxing.

“As well as these historic events there are almost 2,000 shows in Wales, Great Britain and around the world which I have enjoyed enormously, but to come back from around the world and to do the local shows is what I have enjoyed the most, and where I felt most comfortable,

“After refereeing well over a hundred Welsh finals and over a hundred Welsh select and Welsh internationals, I think it’s time to leave the square ring and to do other things.

“It isn’t going to be easy giving up refereeing but I enjoyed the ‘boos’ as well as the clapping as its part and parcel of refereeing anyway!” he added.