It’s a bit of a peculiar story how Joe Feliciano became a decorated boxing referee, who’s a step away from officiating in the Olympics.
He had two dreams: police officer and pro boxer, not necessarily in that order.
The 1976 Hilo High graduate started boxing as an 8-year-old under Sam Alameda, a Big Island Sports Hall of Famer.
Feliciano turned pro in 1979, and lost his debut.
Remember when Muhammad Ali took that awful beating at the hands of former sparring partner Larry Holmes in 1980?
Ali stayed in the fight game too long, and so did Holmes, who was cleaned out twice by Michael Spinks. Then Mike Tyson came along and walloped both of them, not in the same fight, but in different months in 1988.
Tyson’s TKO of Holmes begged the question: Could Iron Mike punch anyone harder than he pulverized old long-arms Larry? That was answered five months later when Tyson knocked the daylights out of Spinks.
Feliciano, the aspiring pro with a sound backup plan, wasn’t going to be one of those boxers who took one too many to the noggin.
“I had one pro fight and stopped. I won a scholarship, and went to college to become a police officer,” Feliciano said. “In boxing you’ve got to know when to stop. That’s one thing I found out. I pursued my dream to become a police officer.”
After the short life as a pro boxer, Feliciano decided to do the next best thing and become a boxing referee.
He spent a good portion of his life serving his community, and retired in 2013 from the Hilo police department. But Feliciano never stopped working at his other craft, officiating local boxing shows from back in 1987.
His hard work has paid off. In December at Reno, Nevada, Feliciano will be at the Olympic trials for men’s boxing for the first time in his career.
He supervised and officiated at the Olympic trials qualifier in September in Philadelphia, where he worked the fight for bantamweight (123 pounds) winner Shakur Stevenson, a name to watch at the trials and a top prospect to win Olympic Rio gold — should he make the 2016 U.S. team.
After the Philly qualifier, there was an unveiling of a bronze statue honoring Joe Frazier at the Xfinity Live! Complex. One old boxer trying to blend in with the crowd was someone Feliciano immediately recognized.
“Michael Spinks were there incognito,” he said.
Last August in Cuba, Feliciano went to the International Boxing Association World Series of Boxing certification course, and passed the physical and written tests and interview with flying colors. He was awarded his 2 star rating.
“When you’re promoted to two stars, you’re able to do different types of tournaments,” Feliciano said. “The international AIBA goes by stars, 1, 2 or 3. When you get three, you’re able to do the Olympics. In USA boxing, they use levels, 1, 2 or 3.”
Eye on third star
The Rio Games will kick off in August, 2016. There’s still time for Feliciano to bat 3 for 3 in achieving his dreams. He was a pro boxer, he retired as a police officer, and he’s so close to officiating an Olympics. (Consider the Trials like an NFL preseason game.)
There are always high-ranking officials at big-time events. Eagle eyes will not be just on the boxers at the trials. Feliciano, who turns 57 next month, is mindful that his next promotion could happen in a fast-and-furious manner, much like an old Tyson knockout.
“If you’re lucky, they could do an assessment and promote you right off the bat,” he said. “The main job is safety of the boxer. In the ring, you don’t want the fighter to take undue punishment. They have so much pride they don’t want to give up.”
To date, his favorite moment happened in February at the 66th International Boxing Tournament Strandja in Sofia, Bulgaria, where 34 different countries were represented.
Feliciano went along with six U.S. female boxers, and two brought home silver medals. He officiated the main event male championship.
“That was amazing. It’s the highlight of my career,” he said. “I met different referees from all over. It was awesome. There’s one from China, who goes from China to Florida and does the World Series of Boxing. My goal is to get my third star hopefully soon.”
To build its own brand of boxing, the AIBA started the World Series of Boxing in 2011 for international pro boxers to maintain their Olympic eligibility. Basically, it’s the same deal as NBA players turning the Games into their playground.
Memories, gratitude
Feliciano is already a USA Boxing Level 3 referee, so he’s done his share of pro fights, about nine in all. He gave up his pro status to join the AIBA.
Back in 2001 at the Blaisdell Center, Feliciano was the referee for an exhibition between Manny Pacquiao and Jesus Salud. Feliciano found out that it’s sometimes difficult to tell the lion to play nice.
“Manny kept hitting him, and Jesus couldn’t touch him,” Feliciano said. “I had to tell Manny to slow down and hold his punches. It was just an exhibition.”
Feliciano was in the National Guard and was deployed to Iraq from 2004 to ’06. The sweet science followed him to the desert. He was an official for several Showdown in Iraq bouts.
He also helped fellow Hilo local Perry Harada at the national Golden Gloves Tournament in May at Las Vegas. Harada, who runs a boxing club, was certified as a Level 3 boxing referee.
HI-PAL (Hawaii Isle Police Activities League) Boxing will soon return to the island, in Kona and Waimea, and Feliciano hopes that Hilo will host events. When those bouts start, Feliciano will be there, too.
“It’s been a long journey,” he said. “I’ve had help from Sam Alameda of Alameda plumbing, Tommy Harrison of Coquis restaurant, Joe Correa realty, Randy Riley of Kamaaina pumping, and Connie Phillips (USA Boxing Hawaii chapter president). Those were the people who sponsored my trips from 1996 through 2003.
“I’ve very grateful and want to thank them. I wouldn’t be where I am without their help.”
