JUDGE READY FOR SPOTLIGHT
BY DAVID PARKINSON
Paul Thomas knows that he will be under the spotlight more than ever in Saturday's triple world title bill at Harvey Hadden Sports Centre.
Thomas will be one of the three ringside judges who will be officiating for Jawaid Khaliq's defence of his IBO welterweight title against Maxim Nesterenko.
He will also be at ringside for Jason Booth's challenge for the IBO super-flyweight title against Lunga Ntonela.
The hat-trick of world title fights is completed by Nicky Booth, who is taking on Nathan Sting for the WBU bantamweight crown.
Thomas, an 'A' star referee with more than 25 years' experience and 120 world title fights under his belt, acknowledges any decision he makes will be under the microscope, particularly after the row surrounding Oscar de la Hoya's points defeat to Shane Mosley last weekend.
Many observers thought de la Hoya had comfortably retained his WBC and WBA light-middleweight belts in the most high-profile fight of the year.
However, when the scores were added up, all three judges favoured Mosley by 115-113 and that brought a hail of criticism and protest.
However, Thomas defended the judges.
"I know a couple of the judges involved in that fight and they are both, good, honest experienced men," said Thomas.
"De la Hoya looked to have won but television can be very deceptive and does not give a true picture of the fight.
"The judge hands in his scorecard at the end of every round. You judge each round in isolation and that can also give a totally different perspective than an overall view of a fight.
"Also, you have to remember that judges and referees are only human and, like everyone else, make mistakes. No-one is perfect and we all get it wrong sometimes.
"It won't change the way I look at the fights at all. I will not be looking for anything flashy - just, clean, effective punches on the scoring area and a high work-rate."
Thomas goes into Saturday with the eyes of the boxing world on him.