Carlos Padilla Jr.

Carlos "Sonny" Dolorico Padilla Jr. (born 1934/35) is a retired boxing referee and judge from the Philippines, most known for refereeing the "Thrilla in Manila" between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975.[1]

Career

Padilla's professional career began as an actor, where he was known a commercial advertisement of "Family Rubbing Alcohol" with the famous slogan, Hindi lang pampamilya, pang-isports pa. His acting career spanned over 40 years, with his final credited role in Sige, Subukan Mo in 1998.

Padilla first came to international prominence as a referee when he refereed the third fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, known as the "Thrilla in Manila".[1] Before the fight, Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch had objected to all three American referees, so the little-known local official Padilla was selected as a late replacement, finding out of his selection the day before the fight.[1]Despite having 11 years of experience, it was Padilla's first time officiating a fight above the 135-lb. weight class.[2]On his official scorecard for the fight (which Ali won by TKO after 14 rounds),[3] Padilla scored in favor of Ali, 66-60.[4]

Encouraged by Don King (who had previously objected to Padilla's inclusion in the fight),[5] Padilla relocated to the United States after the fight,[6] and went on to officiate many high-profile boxing matches through the next two-plus decades, including Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Wilfredo Benitez, Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas, Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Durán 1, Thomas Hearns vs. Roberto Durán, Julio César Chávez vs. Ruben Castillo, Dwight Muhammad Qawi vs. Matthew Saad Muhammad and Salvador Sanchez vs. Wilfredo Gomez. He refereed his final bout on October 14, 2000, between Manny Pacquiao and Nedal Hussein in the Philippines.

Personal life

Padilla is the son of actor and Olympic boxer Carlos Padilla Sr.[1] He is also father to singer/actress Zsa Zsa Padilla, and grandfather to Karylle.[7][8]

He was given a lifetime achievement award by the Philippine Sportswriters Association in 2011.[9] [10]

References
  1. Samaco, Maloney L. "Carlos Padilla Jr. – The Greatest Filipino International Referee". PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  2. "Pulling no punches: Carlos Padilla on refereeing the Thrilla in Manila". Rappler. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  3. "Muhammad Ali TKOs Joe Frazier in 14th round in 1975 Thrilla in Manila". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  4. Anderson, Dave (2016-06-11). "Title Retained After Ugly End to the 'Thrilla in Manila' (Published 2016)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  5. "Sonny Padilla shares limelight with Ali and Frazier in 'Thrilla'". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  6. "ASIAN JOURNAL a San Diego original. The 1st Asian Journal in Ca,USA. A Filipino American weekly. Online | Digital | Print Editions". asianjournalusa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  7. Altatis, Conan (2018-08-29). "Karylle pays tribute to Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier III referee Carlos Padilla Jr". CONAN Daily. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  8. News, ABS-CBN (2008-11-28). "Karylle dedicates Vegas performance to Padilla men". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  9. "PSA to honor 'The Maestro,' 'Thrilla' referee". Manila Bulletin. 2011-02-04. Archived from the original on 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
  10. "PSA fetes coaching legend, 'Thrilla' ref". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
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