Ref Joins Boxing Shrine

Arthur Mercante, who worked 115 championship fights, became the first active referee enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

On a sweltering day and before a crowd of 2,000 at the sixth annual induction ceremony, Mercante, 75, was one of 15 boxers and ring personalities to enter the hall.

Other inductees who attended were flyweight champion Masahiko “Fighting” Harada, lightweight champion Bob Montgomery and longtime super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Gomez.

Among those inducted posthumously were former heavyweight champion Max Baer and trainer Cus D’Amato, whose stable of champions included Floyd Patterson and Mike Tyson.