Mickey Vann
Encyclopedia
Mickey Vann and based in Leeds
, is a former boxer
and British
boxing referee
. Vann was a 'Class A Star' referee and boxing judge
. He arbitrated his first professional bout on 14 January 1985, and since has refereed many World, regional, and national title fights.
Before becoming a referee, Vann was a professional boxer
. He fought 11 times, as a featherweight, winning two and losing nine. His first fight was on 24 April 1969 and his last was on 11 November 1970.
Vann was involved in controversy on 28 September 2002. He disqualified challenger Stephen Smith, when Ricky Hatton
defended his WBU
light welterweight title, after Smith's father pushed Vann during the second round.
Mickey's autobiography, Give Me a Ring was published in 2003 by Mainstream, revealing the colourful story of his childhood. Mickey was the son of Hal Denver, a friend of Elvis Presley
, who once threw knives at John Major
's mother, and the grandson of The Silver King a showman who included The Elephant Man among his sideshows. Mickey's childhood was spent in fairs, where he appeared as the giraffe necked woman, and a Dickensian foster home.
His career in boxing has seen him take charge of many great champions and he was in charge of the world heavyweight 'Battle of Britain' in Cardiff between Lennox Lewis
and Frank Bruno
.
In his sixties, Mickey qualified to coach rugby league and has worked with Leeds Rhinos Academy. He also hopes to make it onto the veterans over 65s athletic team having competed in events over 60 and 100 metres.
Mickey retired from the British ring at the end of 2008 due to British Boxing Board of Control
regulation stating that over 65s are no longer allowed to referee. However, he can still referee international contests and is still regularly used as a judge by boxing's major world bodies.
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, is a former boxer
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
and British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
boxing referee
Referee (boxing)
The referee in the boxing is the individual charged with enforcing the rules of that sport during a match.-The role of the referee:Referees have the following roles:*Gives instructions to both boxers before the fight...
. Vann was a 'Class A Star' referee and boxing judge
Boxing judge
A boxing judge is responsible for judging the results of a boxing match, with as many as three judges typically present at ringside to score the bout and assign points to the boxers, based on punches that connect, defense, knockdowns, and other, more subjective, measures.A boxing match that has not...
. He arbitrated his first professional bout on 14 January 1985, and since has refereed many World, regional, and national title fights.
Before becoming a referee, Vann was a professional boxer
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
. He fought 11 times, as a featherweight, winning two and losing nine. His first fight was on 24 April 1969 and his last was on 11 November 1970.
Vann was involved in controversy on 28 September 2002. He disqualified challenger Stephen Smith, when Ricky Hatton
Ricky Hatton
Richard John Hatton MBE, more commonly known as Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton, , is a former British professional boxer, and currently a promoter....
defended his WBU
World Boxing Union
The World Boxing Union is a boxing sanctioning body.Until recently it was fully recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control as a legitimate sanctioning body.WBU titles were particularly well recognised in Europe and Africa....
light welterweight title, after Smith's father pushed Vann during the second round.
Mickey's autobiography, Give Me a Ring was published in 2003 by Mainstream, revealing the colourful story of his childhood. Mickey was the son of Hal Denver, a friend of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, who once threw knives at John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
's mother, and the grandson of The Silver King a showman who included The Elephant Man among his sideshows. Mickey's childhood was spent in fairs, where he appeared as the giraffe necked woman, and a Dickensian foster home.
His career in boxing has seen him take charge of many great champions and he was in charge of the world heavyweight 'Battle of Britain' in Cardiff between Lennox Lewis
Lennox Lewis
Lennox Claudius Lewis, CM, CBE is a retired boxer and the most recent British undisputed world heavyweight champion. He holds dual British and Canadian citizenship...
and Frank Bruno
Frank Bruno
Franklin Roy Bruno MBE is an English former boxer whose career highlight was winning the WBC Heavyweight championship in 1995. Altogether, he won 40 of his 45 contests...
.
In his sixties, Mickey qualified to coach rugby league and has worked with Leeds Rhinos Academy. He also hopes to make it onto the veterans over 65s athletic team having competed in events over 60 and 100 metres.
Mickey retired from the British ring at the end of 2008 due to British Boxing Board of Control
British Boxing Board of Control
The British Boxing Board of Control is the governing body of professional boxing in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1929 from the old National Sporting Club and is headquartered in Cardiff.- Councils :...
regulation stating that over 65s are no longer allowed to referee. However, he can still referee international contests and is still regularly used as a judge by boxing's major world bodies.