by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa, who himself has been the victim of a couple of bad decisions in the ring, initially questioned but later accepted the assignment of a Puerto Rican referee and judge for the clash between hard-hitting southpaw Michael Farenas and unbeaten Jose “Sniper” Pedraza who has a record of 18-0 with 12 knockouts.

The fight is scheduled to take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 14.

Penalosa initially told IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker he felt it was “unfair” to have a Puerto Rican referee – Roberto Ramirez Sr and a Puerto Rican judge –Carlos Colon assigned as officials along with American judges John Stewart of New Jersey and Tony Paolillio of New York.

However, Tucker replied by saying he had confidence in the officials assigned even though they were, like Pedraza, Puerto Ricans and that he would be there as fight supervisor and  ensure that Farenas gets a fair deal.

Penalosa said he eventually accepted the decision of the IBF and expressed the hope that Farenas who has made a lot of sacrifices to go after a world title will be treated fairly by the hometown referee and judge.

Referee Ramirez Sr. is a respected ring official and was in fact honored last March 15 when he was the third man in the ring in the Danny “Swift” Garcia-Mauricio Herrera WHO light welterweight title fight, for his 200 professional fights as an official.

Ramirez received the award before the Gracia-Herrera title fight at the Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He was given a replica of a world championship belt from Alberto Sarmiento, a member of the WBA and who was the supervisor nof the fight.

Roberto Ramirez Sr. began refereeing in 1976 and made his debut in the 1978 WBA featherweight title bout between Samuel Serrano and Mario Martinez.