Boxing official Miller’s judging around the world

The Mineral Ridge native is in China and Russia this week.

By GREG GULAS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

MINERAL RIDGE — The sixth century B.C. philosopher and Father of Taoism, Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

That being said, international boxing judge Tom Miller of Mineral Ridge is ready to multiply that saying, for the first step that he takes outside his home will mark the beginning of a seven-day, 19,000 mile trek across the globe with boxing on his slate every destination along the way.

He’s headed to Chang Du, China first, for the World Boxing Association Annual Judges Convention which begins today, then will fly to Moscow, Russia Thursday where he will serve as judge of the WBO heavyweight championship fight between defending champion Sultan Ibragimov of Russia and former champion Evander Holyfield.

As a member of boxing’s four councils — the WBO, WBA, IBF AND IBO, Miller shells out over $6,000 each year for licenses and convention fees for the right to be registered.

“We hold seminars or dirt sessions at the convention, all the while sharing information about the treatment that we receive as judges from the four councils. There’s a pro boxing show on both Tuesday and Wednesday and the judges will volunteer their services for five or six of those bouts,” Miller said.

Thursday he will leave China and fly some 4,000 miles, landing in Russia to begin preparation for what he believes will be a battle between two excellent heavyweights.

“Ibragimov is a good fighter with quick hands while Holyfield has worked hard over the past two years to get himself back into contention. He’s won some close fights and wants another title shot,” said Miller.

Holyfield, who started his pro career in 1984, is 42-8-2 with 27 knockouts, while Ibragimov, 32, has only been fighting since 2002 and sports a 21-0-1 record with 17 KOs.

Miller will observe the weigh-in Friday and have a rules meeting. The day of the fight all three judges are on lock down — they cannot leave their hotel and won’t be permitted any phone calls. He’ll leave for the arena approximately three hours before the fight.

Miller has been in demand this year. A judge who receives two assignments can call it a successful year — the Ibragimov-Holyfield fight is already the seventh for Miller.

“I never dreamed that I would be this successful, and at this level of competition. Quite frankly, I am humbled each time the phone rings requesting my services. It is a great feeling,” he said.

Miller makes between $1,600 and $3,000 per title fight.