Unlike their South African counterparts, Namibian boxing authorities have not gone blind to the fact that world rated Cape Town-based ring official Deon Dwarte is on top of his game.
That has been proven by the fact that the Namibians have invited Dwarte, who is one of the world’s top judges and referees, to conduct a refresher training workshop for ring officials at the Palms Hotel in Windhoek, Namibia, on Saturday.
The 54-year-old Dwarte, who is a deputy director in the Western Cape Department of Community Safety, has done exceptionally well in the 24 years he’s been a boxing judge and referee.
Having officiated in 188 championship bouts including 58 world title fights, Dwarte is only the second South African ring official to have been in charge in a world heavyweight bout. He was the referee when Briton Anthony Joshua defeated Kubrat Pulev from Bulgaria at the Wembley Arena in London in December 2020.
Stan Christodoulou was the first South African ring official to officiate in a world heavyweight title fight when Mike Weaver beat James Tillis in October 1981.