ARTHUR MERCANTE SR.: IN A CLASS ALL HIS OWN

January, 27, 1920-April, 10, 2010

Arthur really loved, and respected the sport he officiated and treated every bout the same. He began to referee bouts in the Navy sometime in the 40's. He began his professional career in 1954, and never looked back. He was the third man in the ring for 145 world title fights including Ali- Frazier I. It is crazy that he only got paid $750 for his part in that historic fight.The first world title bout that the great Mercante was involved in was Floyd Paterson-Ingemar Johansson fight. Not only was he featured as the third man in the ring in many boxing matches, was also on the silver screen. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.He played a referee, in Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Undefeated, Requiem For a Heavyweight, and he played himself in American Gangster. He also wrote a book about his life in boxing called Inside the Ropes. It is a great read, and it gives you a look at a real referee. We can write as many tributes to him as we want but perhaps his best he wrote Arthur Mercante Jr. His son that bares his name also followed him between between the ropes as a referee. Right now he is probably telling some of the greats in the big boxing ring in the sky to break it up,fight to get out, or to keep it clean. There was only one Arthur Mercante, and you will be greatly missed.