OK back to the referees.

I would only make honest opinion for these guys, mainly because they have been in pressure situations more than other referees around the country. I just want ot clear that I'm not looking down at other referees, but I can assure you that refereeing at big fights it's a lot different than small fights. What I'm about to post is only an opinion.

Albert:
He would act on impulse. This can be either strength or weakness. E.g. If a fighter wobbles a little, he would put an 8 count straight away regardless who it is. Guys like Terry Hill’s experience have lots of knowledge of fighters involve and use discretion according to the fighter’s abilities. E.g. When Albert put an 8 count of Jason Suttie when he fought Ron Sefo, he was judged by a lot of people as an immature 8 counts. The impact of Ron’s punch pushed Suttie against the rope, and to Albert’s opinion, Suttie would have been on the ground hadn’t been for the rope. Terry Hill wouldn't probably give 8 counts. I think he would have more understanding on Suttie’s pain barrier and courage, so he would have let the fight go on. At the same time, Terry would have stopped lesser fighters for lot less punishments than that, by understanding that particular fighters abilities, heart, pain barrier etc. (from past performances).

It is not that Albert dosn't know how tough Jason is, he just does the same with everybody, my guys or whoever in the ring when he referees. He gave Simon Chamberlain two standing 8 counts against Jordon Tai, which I felt it was immature, but I understand that it was Albert’s honest opinion at the time. It is what he things appropriate. The fight was also stopped with 2 knock down rules, because, he was told it was a K-1 rule. However, super fight has different rules. The instruction he is given, he would follow it to the max. E.g. During the first rule meeting before the 1st K-1 Max, he was told to pull the fighters apart as soon as they clinched. He did just that which annoyed Sifu Phillip Lam when choppa was fighting. His centering is good and he is close to the action.

He needs to relax more and have a give and take attitude and discretions instead of too strict to the regulations during big fights. Probably need to study the fighters’ nature on the card prior to the big event. (As every referee should do).


Colin Smith:
He lets the fighters know he is the boss early in the bout. Positional is good, but also need more experience at pressure times. Again, I would refer to some I have learn from Terry Hill. Experience referees sense (or know) the time frame of the fights almost as good as the time keeper. Terry would have let Mike Angove’s with Jason Suttie go on a little longer, as it was only about 5 seconds to go. Again, Colin can make clear decision base on strict regulations. His performance during the K-1 ANZAC recently is probably not one of his best, as his consistency in grappling rules was way off the mark. He is usually better than that.

He probably needs to be more consistent and understand the time factor during the round. A fighter might be hurt while standing, but if it is only about 3 – 5 seconds (or even 10 seconds) to the end of the round, than the fighter should be given a chance. Especially at higher level. That is why they have a 10 second warning now. To Colin’s defence during that fight, I don’t think they had a 10 second warning, although the stoppage was right at our corner. I screamed to Mike that is only 5 seconds to go. I’m 100% sure Colin heard me as well…LOL! Don't get me wrong, if Mike got those body shots and dropped his hands down at the 1st minute of the round, I would probably stop the fight before Colin.

Norm Graham:
He has so much potentials to be a great referee. His centering and position improving a lot, but he tend to sucked in by fighters at times. E.g He would about to give a fighter an 8 counts, but if the figher says to him he’s OK, he would stop counting, than choose totally wrong time to do so. He needs to be more stern and clear with his decision. I would still give him a chance. H sometimes circle behind the fighters which often got him out of position, but I know he would have pick that up from Terry, however he dosn't have the respect that fighters give Terry when he calls. Perhaps he’s too close to the fighters and can’t separate professionalism with duty.

Terry Hill:
Every fighter in NZ respects him, which is a huge plus. It makes his job a lot easier. Because of this, Terry tend too relax at time and circle behind the fighters from a distance a lot. He gives them more room and let them fight their fight, knowing that fighters would respond to his voice when he calls, BREAK, STOP OF FIGHT! The trouble is, in front noisy screaming fans, fighters often can’t hear the call.
My opinion, Terry refs better when he knows very little about fighters (international fights). Finding center during a fight, you need to know it before hand, or a quick strategy after the first round (but some times it can change when one fighter gets tired). E.g. After the first round you noticed which fighter is more offensive. You can drift in advance toward the counter fighter’s side, as you anticipate that 8 out of 10 the action would end up that direction.

John Conway is getting better and better at centering and knowing when to change direction. He just needs to have more peripheral vision what’s going on with the knees etc. But he’s getting better. He often missed guys knees to the groin, and fighter’s legs trapped at the outside the rope, because his main focus was more from the waist up. I’m sure Rebel will work this.