Joe Santarpia

Joe Santarpia was an American professional boxing referee.

Boxing career

Santarpia began his career as an amateur boxer and made it all the way to the semi-finals in the New York Golden Gloves. He then went on to become the captain of an American boxing team that competed against England's team in the Internationals.

Santarpia was in the ring in 1988 for the last scheduled 15 round fight in the United States in which Buddy McGirt knockout Howard Davis, Jr. in the first round to capture the title. In 1993, at Madison Square Garden, Santarpia officiated the big title fight between Riddick Bowe and Michael Dokes. He stopped the contest at 2:19 in the first round to give Bowe the victory amidst general criticism, a decision the former referee continues to defends. In April 2000, he refereed the fight that ended when Wladimir Klitschko knocked out David Bostice also at Madison Square Garden.