Statement of Richard Steele, Professional Boxing Referee
and Member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame

April 6, 2005  

Good afternoon, and thank you for coming. My name is Richard Steele, and I have more than 40 years experience in boxing. As a referee, I have worked more world title fights than any other current or past referee, so I have spent a great deal of time with champion fighters. I was also recognized by Nelson Mandela for refusing to referee fights in South Africa while that country was governed by the rules of apartheid—fairness, equality and human rights are vitally important to me.

I am a great admirer of Jack Johnson. He did so much for the sport of boxing and, in particular, for African American boxers struggling for respect and recognition during a difficult and painful time in this country’s history. I support the Joint Association of Boxers’ efforts to right Johnson’s record and secure a pardon for him. It’s time for this negative mark on boxing’s history to be erased.

I would like to thank JAB and the Teamsters for giving me the opportunity to weigh in on this issue. Thank you to Representative King for spearheading the effort to put Congress on record in support of a pardon for Jack Johnson. And thank you to those members of Congress who have agreed to co-sponsor this resolution. This is a wrong that deserves to be righted—in the interest of fairness and righting the record, and on behalf of Jack Johnson, I urge Congress to pass this resolution when it comes before you.

Thank you.
 

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