THIRD MAN WAS POSITIVE FORCE IN GAME
Garden City, NY– One of the great referees of the 20th century, Arthur Mercante Sr., passed away this morning at his home here. Arthur, as he was known to his friends and foes alike, was one of the warmest men you could meet. He taught physical education at times in his life, and when the Mercante boys were growing up, James, Glenn, and fellow referee Arthur Mercante Jr., everytime they entered the hall way, it was mandatory that they do some pull ups on a bar that Sr. installed. His claim to fame I guess will always be the first Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fight of March 1971, and Ali beating his count after being dropped in the 15th round.
BIG ON “AB MUSCLES” UNTIL BONECRUSHER SMITH
Always in stellar physical condition, Mercante used to let people punch him in the stomach. One day, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, a one time WBA heavyweight champion and the only titleholder in history with a college degree, James punched Arthur in the gut when he wasn’t expecting it and the punch put him in a horizontal position.
SPAIN, TOKYO, THE UK..
Having interacted with Arthur in a number of countries at different functions, all I can say is that he was as straight as they come in a sport no so! In addition to his sons, Arthur is survived by his wife Gloria. Arthur Mercante was 90 years of age. Funeral details will be forthcoming.
Pedro Fernandez