15 hours ago
Referees in boxing often face criticism, especially when they stop a bout early, fail to penalize fouling, or allow fights to continue too long.
Judges also receive significant scrutiny, as scoring a contest is inherently subjective.
While some criticism is justifiedāand it is important for media and stakeholders to question decisions to maintain standardsāsometimes the backlash, particularly online, can be excessive.
Referees must make decisions under intense pressure, always prioritizing the health and safety of the fighters.
"There are situations where you get criticism and certain things are regarded as, if you like, 'controversial'," said Edwards.
"You get made aware of criticism, but I've always taken the view that comes with the territory.
"And if you don't want to be in that situation, you shouldn't be doing it.
"Obviously there might be situations where you do something and you think, 'I'll learn from that' because we're all learning all of the time and you can never say you've stopped learning."
However, social media has made negative scrutiny very public.
"Personally, I don't look at social media or anything like that," Edwards added. "Some do. I just take the view I'm there to do a job. I do it as best I can and get on with it."
The risks in boxing are well known, and unfortunately, fatalities can occur.
While a boxer's corner knows their fighter best, they are invested in their success and may sometimes hesitate to stop the fight at the right moment.
No one is closer to the action than the referee.
"You do have to be always on it to notice if there is a change in one boxer, starting to tire, starting to become outclassed," Edwards explained.
"You develop that skill and that almost like a sixth sense for seeing what changes can take place. The corners know exactly what their boxer is capable of and see signs because, of course, the corner know the boxer so well.
"But you [the referee] do have, if you like, the best seat in the house in terms of seeing what's happening.
"I'd also like to see more people aware that sometimes if a stoppage is made, they should just be aware that there is a danger involved and that the referee is best placed to make that decision as to when to stop a contest.
"Sometimes if I hear talk about that was premature and so on, I often think if it hadn't been stopped what would have happened?"
