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Third Man in the Ring
My name is Ray Corona. My friends call me Popeye Ray. I am a professional boxing referee with a few MMA bouts under my belt. Listening to this podcast you will hear from a pro ref's perspective on fighting and life. We will be having professional boxing referees, actors, fighters, and others on as guests. If you have questions for refs on certain fights and certain calls, this is the place to ask. Reach out to us at thirdmanintheringpodcast@gmail.com
Third Man in the Ring
The Art of Officiating World Title Fights | Robert Hoyle
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In this episode of Third Man in the Ring, Popeye Ray sits down with top referee Robert Hoyle to talk about the craft of officiating at the highest level of boxing.
Hoyle breaks down what it takes to work championship fights, how referees prepare before stepping into the ring, and how split-second decisions can change the course of a fight. He discusses studying legends like Richard Steele, observing elite camps in Las Vegas, and earning credibility fight by fight.
From managing intensity in the clinch to knowing when to step in and when to let fighters work, this episode dives deep into the mindset and responsibility of the third man in the ring.