Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003 | 9:34 a.m.
As the third man in the ring, a boxing referee plays a critical role. He can not only influence a fight's direction, he can, in some instances, determine its outcome.
Joe Cortez of Las Vegas was selected Monday by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to referee Saturday's megafight between Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Duane Ford of Las Vegas, Stanley Christodoulu of South Africa and Anek Hongkongtan of Thailand were picked as judges.
Cortez, 59, a veteran of 159 title fights, said he was honored by the selection and aware of his responsibilities.
"I think differently than a fan," he said. "I don't pick sides. I don't favor any fighters and I'm neutral at all times.
"If the fight goes the distance, I'm glad to let the judges decide (the winner)."
Cortez has been in boxing for 45 years, initially as a fighter, and has been a referee for 25 years. This will be his sixth fight with De La Hoya, including last year's epic bout with Fernando Vargas, and his first with Mosley.
"Both of them are good, clean fighters," Cortez said. "It'll be an interesting fight and I know the fans are hoping it'll be the fight of the year.
"My job is to make sure the fighters abide by the rules and to make sure neither one absorbs too much punishment so that they can fight another day.
"I'll approach it like I do all of my fights; I'll be fair but firm."
Fairbutfirm.com is also Cortez's referee-related website, where he conducts weekly seminars designed to initiate outsiders to a referee's duties or fine tune those who already referee fights for a living.
"Joe is certainly one of the best referees in the world," said NSAC executive director Marc Ratner, who recommended Cortez for Saturday's high-profile assignment.
Asked if he would share the butterflies that the fighters and fans will be feeling as the fight begins to take shape, Cortez said he would -- and that the adrenaline rush was a good thing.
"All referees have butterflies," he said. "It's good ... it keeps you on your toes. You're a little nervous because you don't know what's going to happen, but that helps you focus on what needs to be done."
Both De La Hoya and Mosley arrived in Las Vegas on Monday and neither fighter nor his representatives objected to Cortez being selected as referee.
"Most fighters don't have a problem with me," Cortez said. "They feel comfortable with me because they know it doesn't make any difference to me who wins."
He said he'll emphasize the rules and his approach when he meets individually with each fighter in their dressing rooms prior to the fight.
"That's where I'll take control," Cortez said. "Part of the process of preparation is to make sure the fighters know beforehand that I'm going to make them follow the rules and that I have the authority to enforce those rules and even stop the fight.
"But I don't anticipate any trouble with these guys. They're fairly clean."
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