Referee Being Inducted into CT Boxing Hall of Fame But Did You Know He's an Actor As Well.

Referee Danny Schiavone will be inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame on May 21, 2022. I had a chance to chat with him on his upcoming induction and him as a referee.

Pattee Mak: First off congratulations about being an inductee into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. How does that make you feel to be an inducted?

Schiavone: Thank you Pattee. It’s a great feeling to be a part of Connecticut Boxing history. I feel blessed to be chosen as an inductee and very humbled.

Pattee Mak: How long have you been a referee for?

Schiavone: I have been a professional referee for 19 years and spent 6 years in the amateurs. So all together I’ve been at this game for 25 years as a referee.

Pattee Mak: I know at one point you have been in a movie or two. Were any of them have you been a referee?

Schiavone: Yes, I have been involved in two movies as a referee. William DeMeo’s, “Back In The Day” and the upcoming movie “Pep”, Staring James Madio. During the fight scenes, I was given some say as far as my opinion on camera angles of the fights. The rules of the game for authenticity, as well as, getting Boxing people involved with the production. The other project I’m involved in, is the television series “Gravesend”. We are currently shooting Season 3. I play the role of Vito, who is a “wise guy”. It is a mob series that takes place in 1980’s Gravesend section of Brooklyn. We have a star studded cast, including several actors from “The Sopranos”, “A Bronx Tale” and the HBO movie, “Gotti”. It’s a very exciting series, in which each season is getting more and more intense.

Pattee Mak: I didn’t know you were in “Gravesend”. I am going to have to check it out.

Pattee Mak: Have you ever put the gloves on and hit the heavy bag or sparred?

Schiavone: I have trained in Boxing and have sparred on a regular basis in my younger days. I am originally affiliated with the San Juan Center Gym in Hartford. I actually was just at Johnny Callas’ gym, (Charter Oak Boxing Academy) in Hartford, working out two days ago.

Pattee Mak: What is the most memorable fight that you refereed?

Schiavone: One of my most memorable fights that I can remember is the Lomochencko/ Martinez bout at Madison Square Garden. It was a WBO Championship..

Pattee Mak: Any fight stands out to you that was crazy or out of the ordinary?

Schiavone: The reason why that fight sticks out so much is, I have never seen such incredible footwork and overall movement by any fighter to this day, as Lomochencko. He started off as a ballet dancer and carried his movements into the Boxing ring. It was amazing to watch and I had to pay special attention to staying in the center of the boxers

Pattee Mak: Have you always been 100% positive in your decision of stopping a fight where some people might have thought it was too early or too late?

Schiavone: As far as my decision making on stopping a fight too soon or too late. There is an old referee motto: “Better to stop 100 fights too soon, than one too late”. It is a subjective game. What we as referee’s see and hear for that matter in the ring, is different than what people see on tv and even ringside. Our objective is to enforce the rules and protect the fighters. I have had many difficult , wild bouts. That is somewhat of a running joke by some of my referee peers. “Danny gets the wildest fights!!!” As the saying goes. Too numerous to mention.

Pattee Mak: I still have only been to a few crazy, wild fights. Just as long as no one is throwing anything at me or the ring.

Pattee Mak: Thank you so much for the interview.

Schiavone: Thank you for this interview Pattee. I enjoyed answering your questions and appreciate you thinking about me!