Referee Laurence Cole Fined and Suspended

Referee Laurence Cole Fined and Suspended

By Doghouse Boxing (Jan 15, 2007)

A report out by John Whisler of the San Antonio Express indicates that Texas boxing regulators on Friday have suspended referee Laurence Cole for six months. Cole was also fined $500 for violating a rule during a televised fight back on November 25th of 2006.

Cole received the punished for his actions during Juan Manuel Marquez vs Jimrex Jaca. In that fight, Marquez sustained a deep gash to his forehead from an unintentional head butt. Cole in the eighth round told Marquez that

he was ahead on the scorecards for the WBO interim featherweight title.

In the ruling, the Department of Licensing & Regulation, said Cole's actions "gave the appearance that he favored one participant over the other." This action on behalf of Cole violated an administrative rule regarding sportsmanlike conduct in combative sports.

A TDLR spokesman Patrick Shaughnessy, quoted in the San Antonio Express, said: "There's nothing more important in any type of sporting event than the referee being impartial, or even being viewed as impartial." Adding, "Sometimes, the appearance of an impropriety can be as damaging as the impropriety itself."

Shaughnessy confirmed that this was the first time a Texas referee has been suspended for his actions in the ring.

"I screwed up," said Laurence Cole, "I'm sorry if I embarrassed the TDLR. I never, ever tried to say I didn't make a mistake."

The San Antonio Express further reports that during the first three months of the suspension, Cole will be prohibited from refereeing in Texas. After the three months are served, Cole will then serve three months' probation. During the probation period, Cole will then be allowed to referee in Texas, but will not be allowed to work championship fights, televised fights or even the fights that would determine eligibility for participation in a championship fight in Texas. The suspension began Jan. 1 and ends July 1.

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