Phil Austin: “The IBO might not have the biggest name out there but in my opinion it is the most professional!”

(Interview by Robert Brown) Phil Austin has served a vice president of the International Boxing Organization for over 10 years, and is also a highly respected referee who has been the third man in the ring for many IBO title fights. I recently had a chance to speak with Phil regarding his decision to step down from his role within the IBO, and retire from his Vice President Asia/Pacific position. I also talked to him about the current boxing landscape. Topics discussed were the upcoming Pacquiao-Algieri and Mayweather-Maidana bouts, and also Phil’s view on how Mayweather would do against legends Hearns, Leonard and Duran. Here is what Phil Austin had to say.

Robert Brown: Phil, can you explain the reasons why you have decided to retire from international boxing?

Phil Austin: It’s family first, second and third! Every time I go away somewhere either interstate or overseas, it impacts on my work. My boys are 7 and 9 and I want to provide them with the best possible start in life. I can’t finance that through boxing! My wife also has goals and my work must come first for my family’s sake.

I have had a dream run and achieved more than I thought possible. I’m not exactly on the downslide with my abilities as a ref so it’s nice to be going out at the top of my game so to speak.

Robert Brown: Can you take us through some of your main highlights from your career in boxing?

Phil Austin: It’s the people you meet that is a real highlight for me and I have made some tremendous friendships with some terrific people; Howard Foster, Richie Davies, Pat Russell, Jack Reiss, Adam Height and Marcus McDonnell. Sharing experiences with these guys has made it for me.

Actual career highlights would be being in The Third Man In The Ring book, reffing Vic Darchinyan in Armenia, being the first man to ref a world title fight in Singapore (where I was born), being a Judge for Hatton/Lazcano in Manchester in front of 58,000 people. Supervising in Las Vegas and supervising Green vs. Jones in Sydney… to name a few!

Robert Brown: Considering the pressure on officials today because of the social media age, how do we encourage quality people to enter the sport and become officials?

Phil Austin: Not sure if there is an answer to that one mate! There will always be pressure with being a ring official and whilst social media has given a voice to all (not always in a positive way, mind you), there is nowhere to run from an official who is not “up to it” in some way or another.

In a way it’s a good thing; pressure comes inside a ring as well and if you can’t handle it then you should not be there. It’s important for new officials to separate the positives that can come out of fan feedback for development and growth and learning to ignore the crazies and the clueless who also now have a voice.

Robert Brown: How were you invited to join the IBO, was it a worthwhile experience?

Phil Austin: After Derek Milham, who had been my mentor as a ref, resigned after briefly being with the IBO, he suggested I put my name forward. I then sent an email to Ed Levine who then assigned me to a fight in England for his UK rep to evaluate me. Things went well and it just grew and grew from there.

Absolutely it’s been a worthwhile experience! The IBO might not have the biggest name out there but in my opinion it is the most professional. The people I have met, places I have been to and the lessons I have learned have been invaluable. I owe so much to Ed and the IBO that millions of dollars could not repay.

Robert Brown: Are you positive about the IBO’s future going forward?

Phil Austin: Absolutely! Ed Levine is a man of impeccable integrity and unparalleled respect throughout the world (and you don’t encounter that too often). Mr. Levine looks at the big picture and is in no rush to get there, giving the IBO a stronger foundation to build from. He also has some of the top officials working for him. I did well because of the IBO, not the other way around — it will do more than quite well without me!

Robert Brown: I want to get your thoughts on a few upcoming fights. Can you give us your thoughts and prediction for the Hopkins vs. Kovalev fight?

Phil Austin: I think Father Time has an overdue catch up for Bernard who has been incredible. Kovalev’s youth and power will not be denied and I believe he will end things in the later half of the contest. It’s a brave or silly man that bets against Hopkins though.

Robert Brown: We also have Pacquiao vs. Algieri later this year, what are your thoughts and prediction for this one? Are you expecting this to be an easy fight for Pacquiao?

Phil Austin: People will criticize any opponent for Manny unless it is Mayweather or Marquez — the man needs to stay active and earn! I see Pacquiao winning via decision but it will in no way be a cakewalk.

Robert Brown: The other big fight is Mayweather vs. Maidana, what is your prediction for the rematch? Are you expecting the second fight like most people to be a wider decision for Mayweather?

Phil Austin: I think it will be easier; he does better in rematches on the few occasions he has had them. Maidana took him by surprise last time and Floyd will fight the majority of the fight in center ring. Floyd is too smart to get caught on the hop like he was last time. Marcos will be made to fight how Floyd wants it, which will lead to a larger margin on the cards.

Robert Brown: Who do you think over all has faced the toughest opponents out of Mayweather and Pacquiao?

Phil Austin: I think both have similar resumes. It’s a shame that this fight wasn’t made when first mooted; it’s all boxing fans have asked for and what they deserve.

Robert Brown: How do you think Floyd would do against Duran, Leonard and Hearns? Which one of those fab 3 would give Floyd the most issues?

Phil Austin: For the record, he loses to all three in my opinion. The welterweight/light-middle Hearns was a monster and the range advantage would have been far too much for him to overcome. The toughest of the three is Duran, in my opinion. The Duran that fought Davey Moore or Ken Buchanan would have provided far too much heat for Floyd.

Robert Brown: Kell Brook had an impressive win against Shawn Porter recently, in your opinion should Brook now face Amir Khan in a British super fight/grudge match?

Phil Austin: He should fight the best possible money maker for himself and in my opinion that is Khan. It’s a big, big fight for both and for British boxing. Not Froch-Groves big, but big nonetheless.

Robert Brown: Is Australian Boxing still in a positive position despite the string of recent losses in the US? How do you think the international community perceives Australian boxing?

Phil Austin: Absolutely! We have three female world champs and one male counterpart and six guys that just faced some of the very best in their division and in Daniel Geale’s case, a fighter who will join the ATG’s. We have some great prospects coming through so I think we are good. Losing to Kovalev and ‘GGG’ is no disgrace.

Robert Brown: Back to you Phil, have you achieved everything you wanted to achieve in the field of international boxing?

Phil Austin: I never set out refereeing with any huge goals to be honest, I just wanted to stay involved with the sport after my cricket injury. If you had told me after reffing those two ten year olds at the Richmond Working Men’s Club in Christchurch that I would achieve half of what I have, I would have thought you were on drugs. So I am more than happy with what I have under my belt.