November 2023

 

Brad Vocale: International Ring Official for 30 years, Professional Boxing Referee, Judge, Tournament Supervisor for 30 years, Director of Ringsports Australia since 2021, Proud-Gaunt’s Golden Gloves Junior Boxer of the Year 1968.

 

We sat down with an icon of Australian boxing, former amateur and pro Australian boxer and internationally renowned referee Brad Vocale; and boxing sports specialist in her own right, Jill Vocale, at the completion of the MBA Golden Gloves tournament on Australia's Gold Coast in November 2023, to talk all things boxing and inspiration.

 

Brad Vocale

 

Brad Vocale's name is synonymous with some of today's most high-profile fights on a global scale. His career in boxing has seen him travel the world many times over to officiate, yet his love of the sport remains undiminished. He has completed numerous Ring Officials Seminars and Workshops around the world, teaching both new and current Referees and Judges the finer points of officiating, helping them to maintain their integrity and respect for the rules and the code of conduct that is the backbone of our sport.

 

Brad also worked for Foxsports television for 20 years as a commentator and host, calling many of the biggest professional fights in Australia. Together with his officiating expertise, this helped to raise his profile globally.

 

However, it is as a referee that his prowess and presence in the ring is second to none. It is a testament to Brad's passion for boxing and his heart as a leader and mentor, that he is so accessible as to be here on the Gold Coast refereeing a masters boxing tournament, and that he also heads up inspirational amateur programmes like Ringsports Australia. 

 

To have Jill at the officials table and Brad in the masters boxing ring for our 2023 tournaments was a pinch-me moment for MBA and the tournament's fighters.

 

"My family were into boxing. Lionel Rose was my cousin."

 

Having been born into a boxing family, Brad Vocale had his first amateur fight at just 7 years of age, in Orbost Victoria. He went on to win three Victorian Golden Gloves Titles, fought in the preliminary Olympic trials to go to Mexico, turned pro when he was 15 (despite the minimum age being 17), had 23 pro fights, most on Ringside TV, including on the undercard to the Tony Mundine versus Kahu Mahanga fight of the century in November 1969.

 

"I lived in the halcyon days of pro boxing."

 

Brad Vocale admits that he "lived in the halcyon days of professional boxing" - an era of greats, dominated by such names as Johnny Famechon, Lionel Rose, Hector Thompson, Rocky Mattioli and Manny Santos, to name just a few. An era that he says for boxing eventually saw "shrinkage", after other sports such as swimming, AFL, NRL, motor racing, running and karate grew in popularity and focus.

 

Despite his status on the world stage giving him every reason for an inflated ego, Brad Vocale couldn't be more opposite to this. His willingness to contribute at all levels is evident when you see him in action - giving fighters direction and every opportunity to shine, while he enforces a safety-first adherence to the rules of the sport, regardless of the level it is being fought at and in his own inimitable style. This makes for a mesmerising presence in centre ring that never overshadows the combatants. He is every bit a part of the contest but does not want to be the main focus. It is surely the key that keeps him in such high demand in the world's boxing rings. But right now, he is here giving his all to the masters boxing arena and enjoying every moment.

 

On masters boxing.

 

On masters boxing in particular, Brad singles out the competitive spirit that the masters bring to the ring -  a blend of friendship, sportsmanship, camaraderie and respect, adding that it is this spirit that he finds "heart-warming". This is boxing without the bullies or the push and shove show ponies. It all begins with the Cadets (0 fights). They are here to achieve a goal. Once they step through those ropes, they are winners already. They can truly say " now I am a boxer, I challenged myself, and then protected myself." He is particularly impressed with the standard of female masters, along with their skill levels and opportunity for equality that only the masters can bring. He is more impressed by the ability of the masters’ competitors to battle it out as they make lifestyle changes, and watch as these changes give them their goals to achieve.

 

 

"My goal is to take kids off the streets and help them set and then achieve their goals in life."

 

Brad today uses boxing as a tool to help propel the lives of others. To provide a pathway to help the sport of boxing provide a bigger more important goal, and that is to "Change people's lives. To be accountable both inside and outside of the boxing ring. Achieving goals that give our sport absolutely no reason to fail."

 

Earlier this year, a post was placed on Facebook looking for an opponent for a female masters boxer in Victoria. In typical fashion, it was Brad that voiced his support and encouragement by way of this reply:

 

"Wishing you every success once you find an opponent Karen. I’m sure there will be someone of your ability and experience to help make your debut. Keep training and remain positive, good things come to good people. I’m sure you’ll soon need a pen, so you can tick off a bucket list dream. 

Train hard, fight easy?

 

Best wishes always, 

Brad Vocale "

 

 

Jill Vocale

 

Jill Vocale: Accredited Amateur boxing Judge, Supervisor and Timekeeper

 

Jill Vocale's association with combat sports began with the sport of Muay Thai and quickly progressed to boxing "after being around Brad, feeling and hearing his passion. He lives and breathes it, and now, so do I." She adds that "our lives are consumed by boxing. I learned so much so quickly 'cos I had the very best teacher, and now we complement each other when working together and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Our goal together is always to officiate every event to the very best of our ability, giving the competitors, the sport, and the boxing fans the respect they deserve with quality officiating, irrespective of what level of competition we are adjudicating. Amateur and masters competitors are entitled to the very same level of quality officiating as professionals get. Brad has taught me that everyone is equal, the cadet competitor (0-fights) is equally as important as a competitor who is the Australian champion, or someone who has had 50 or 60 fights. We do not discriminate. There is no room for bias and discrimination in our sport. The rules and regulations are exactly the same for every competitor, irrespective of gender, colour, race, creed, looks or experience. There is no substitute for honesty, integrity and respect in our sport. It’ll always only ever be, Red Corner v Blue Corner."

 

On masters boxing.

 

When asked for her impression of masters boxing, Jill's keen eye hasn't missed a thing, noting it is "their enthusiasm to never give up and they truly keep going until the very last bell, even though they are gassed. I often think they are fitter than some of the younger boxers. Everyone is so supportive, there are no egos, nobody is better than anybody else. All the fighters are friendly and often get on well with each other. The officials are friendly with each other, and often hang out exchanging ideas and views. It's very professional, without the professional tag of pressure, self-importance and a win-at-all costs attitude. It’s just so wonderful to see."

 

Which is as exacting a summary of masters boxing as you will ever find.

 

With thanks to Brad and Jill Vocale for providing these insights, giving their time and making a heartfelt impact on Australian masters boxing, helping it to grow and give opportunities for achievement.