Carlos Padilla, Jr.

Who is Carlos Padilla, Jr.?

Carlos "Sonny" Padilla, Jr. was a boxing referee and judge from the Philippines. Padilla was a recognizable movie star but when his career began to decline, he rejoined the world of sports and became a boxing referee.

The son of actor Carlos Padilla, Sr., Padilla first came to international prominence when he refereed the third fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, known as the "Thrilla in Manila". Before the fight Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch had objected to all three American referees, so the little-known local official Padilla was selected as a late replacement.

Afterwards Padilla relocated to the United States and refereed many high profile boxing matches over the next two decades, including Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Wilfredo Benitez, Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas, Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns vs. Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Ruben Castillo, Dwight Muhammad Qawi vs. Matthew Saad Muhammad and Salvador Sanchez vs. Wilfredo Gomez. He refereed his final fight in October 2000.