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Yeah no doubt this is disgraceful, & no doubt Micky Vann is just 'too close' to Ricky Hatton

It was ridiculous how Vann let a tiring Hatton hold on to Tackie in the later rounds, without making them break

Here is a quote from KO magazine a few years back which sums up Mickey vanns relationship with Ricky Hatton perfectly


"In Manchester, Ricky hatton spun Russian Mikhail Krivolapov into the ropes in round 3 & landed 2 illegal punches to the back of the neck. Referee Micky vann's response was to warn Krivolapov for spinning around. This is like a cop ignoring the shooter to cite his victim for bleeding on the sidewalk"

The only incident in a Vann refereed Hatton fight that you could perhaps claim as being bias is in the Magee fight. In the second round Ricky was in trouble, and for no reason Vann gave Ricky a small breather by warning Magee when he hadn't done anything wrong. It's the only small amount of evidence you could have to saying Vann is bias, mind you there haven't been any other situations when Ricky's needed help.

Whether he's impartial or not, it still looks too suspect.

MightyWarrior Posted: 27 Mar 2004 12:44
I'm sure the rest of the boxing world will understand the situation and Hatton will get no critisism at all.

The rest of the boxing world is Laughing it’s ass off.

Mickey Vann is best known in America as the boxing judge who scored for Julio Cesar Chavez over Pernell Whitaker.

He also gave Shea Neary plenty of extra time after Mickey Ward put him on his back, Vann took his time wiping off Neary's gloves and asking him if he was able to continue.

Of course U all know how he favored Hatton the same way after Magee put him down.

Blue wrote:MightyWarrior Posted: 27 Mar 2004 12:44
I'm sure the rest of the boxing world will understand the situation and Hatton will get no critisism at all.

The rest of the boxing world is Laughing it’s ass off.

Mickey Vann is best known in America as the boxing judge who scored for Julio Cesar Chavez over Pernell Whitaker.

He also gave Shea Neary plenty of extra time after Mickey Ward put him on his back, Vann took his time wiping off Neary's gloves and asking him if he was able to continue.

Of course U all know how he favored Hatton the same way after Magee put him down.

He also gave Enzo Maccarinelli plenty of extra when Bruce Scott dropped the Welshman with a left hook.

Got to earn a living somehow

Blue wrote: Yeah, he’s a good promoter’s boy.

Yes, indeed. Vann will do to Pinto what he did to Tackie in the early rounds: break his rhythm with plenty of warnings and allow Hatton to settle into his.
Only then will he stand off.

Blue wrote: Mickey Vann is best known in America as the boxing judge who scored for Julio Cesar Chavez over Pernell Whitaker.

Yes I'd forgoten about that infamous decision at the Alamo. Talk about favoring the promoter's house fighter!

I don't like this, I think Vann is a quality ref and I'm sure doesn't hold no bias but it is starting to look dodgy. At home me and my father have wild discussions about this - we have now convinced that Hatton is Vann's love child. Its getting beyond a joke now, there is an abundance of quality British referee's is Vann the only one who knows his way to M.E.N arena.

The fact that this thread excists to me says there is a problem. I don't have any issues with Vann and I'm a fan of Hattons.

However like many have all ready said it just looks dodgy and leads to people thinking there is something going on, even if there isn't.

Theres plenty of other refs around.

Micky Vann is a rampant egotist and self-publicist. His autobiography was utter drivel.

He used to do a lot of judging at WBC fights and there were rumours he could be relied upon to give the "correct" decision.

Loynesy wrote:Micky Vann is a rampant egotist and self-publicist. His autobiography was utter drivel.

He used to do a lot of judging at WBC fights and there were rumours he could be relied upon to give the "correct" decision.

Am I right in thinking that Vann was one of the Judges that voted a draw for the Chavez - Whitaker fight?

This is getting beyond a joke.

There are plenty of other good refs around, why not just pick one of them?

KOJOE - no, as Bennie pointed out, Vann had Chavez beating Whitaker!

Loynesy wrote:KOJOE - no, as Bennie pointed out, Vann had Chavez beating Whitaker!

not true gents. the scorecards were as follows...

Jack Woodruff scored it 115-113 for Whittaker
Franz Marti scored it 115- 115 and
Mickey Vann scored it 115-115

therefore it was a majority draw. Vann was the only one who gave Chavez the 6th round which was what caused the main controversy

neil r wrote:

Loynesy wrote:KOJOE - no, as Bennie pointed out, Vann had Chavez beating Whitaker!

not true gents. the scorecards were as follows...

Jack Woodruff scored it 115-113 for Whittaker
Franz Marti scored it 115- 115 and
Mickey Vann scored it 115-115

therefore it was a majority draw. Vann was the only one who gave Chavez the 6th round which was what caused the main controversy

The same old story: Vann sat on the fence because he thought the other two judges would pick a winner. But Franz Marti was also thinking that way, hence bad verdict.

I think Vann is a decent enough ref and judge, as we are all aware many officials are bound to be involved in some controversy if they are involved in the game week in week out. The fact that it semes there are only two instances being picked out here in a very long career in officialdom, points towards an efficient and good ref / judge.
HOWEVER, it sucks majorly that he is almost exclusively reffing Hatton. To me this opening Hatton up to accusations of favouritism.
Its just common sense and it seems stupid to me that he he is appointed to an unusually large percentage of Hattons fights. (almost exclusively).
silly and not needed imo.

Do you guys think Vann would have ruled a kd or two in the Phillips fight had he been reffing it? Ian John Lewis did a standup job, there was one trip that really looked like a kd and I'm certain most refs would have counted it as such. The replay showed that although a punch landed he tripped over Hattons foot (or Hatton stepped on his, I forget exactly which).
I'm also of the opinion that the more fights Vann refs the less impartial he can be, at least be seen to be.

Vann as ref again is just not right. Him and Hatton are too familiar with eachother.

Look how Vann leapt to Ricky's rescue in the Magee fight, I think it's safe to assume the same might happen on saturday if this Pinto bangs as hard as many are saying.

I just don't like Vann. He has illusions of grandeur (does he really think Hollwood wants to make a film of his life!!?) and thinks he is the star of the show.

I have heard that Vann has'nt got this fight, I think you will find it is to be Dave Parris..

which would be a far more credible thing to do.
good. Hope you are right.

Just had it confirmed Dave Parris is the referee for Hatton v Pinto..

jonny wrote:Just had it confirmed Dave Parris is the referee for Hatton v Pinto..

if this is true, big thank you to boxrec posters