Earlier today, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, through his X account, shared that Herbert J. Santos, an attorney and long-time boxing official, had passed away. Widely known as Herb Santos, he was a much-loved and respected figure in the sporting circle. In 2020, the Guinness Book of World Records conferred on him the rare distinction of being the ‘oldest judge in a world championship boxing fight.’

According to the World Record Keepers, Herb Santos was 88 years and 199 days old when he was one of the three judges appointed for the WBC Flyweight Championship on February 29, 2020, in Frisco, Texas.

Mauricio Sulaiman joins many in mourning the loss of a legend

In his condolence note, Mauricio Sulaiman mentioned that Herb Santos was a fantastic man. He was a top-notch boxing judge and an outstanding Nevada state commissioner. Heartbroken at losing a good friend, Sulaiman recalled Santos, a wonderful human, husband, father, and grandfather.

The son of an immigrant from the Azores Islands, Herb Santos earned his law degree from Suffolk University’s School of Law. A patriotic American, he had served in the United States Navy and later in the United States Air Force, where he served as the Judge Advocate General. After an honorable discharge, he cleared the Nevada State Bar exam. He became a District Attorney and later a Deputy District Attorney before switching to private practice a few years later.

Giving his all to the sport he adored

It was in the 1970s that his boxing journey began. His first job with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) was as a timekeeper. Additionally, he had to keep a tab on the knockdowns during professional boxing matches. Finally, the NSAC approved Herb Santos for a license to officiate boxing matches. He was a judge for over sixty contests, falling under multiple titles.

The 1985 Marvelous Marvin Hagler versus Thomas Hearns bout, ‘The Fight,’ perhaps remains the most famous bout he judged. As a commissioner, he was with NSAC beginning 1985 till 1988. Then, Herb Santos held the position of Chairman from 1987 to 1988. In 1989, he came back to match judging. Additionally, he had a stint with the WBC, looking after their world championship fights.

Among the many fights Herb Santos judged, some of the most famous include the 1983 Larry Holmes versus Tim Witherspoon fight, the 1982 Wilfredo Gomez versus Juan Antonio Lopez fight, and the 1982 ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard versus Bruce Finch fight.

A recipient of multiple awards and accolades, some of the most prominent honors that Herb Santos received were the Nevada Justice Association (NJA)’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2012) and the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement (2016). The Plainville Sports Hall of Fame inducted him into the Class of 2016. Later, the National Boxing Hall of Fame inducted Herb Santos into the Class of 2018.

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