THE BOXING FRATERNITY has lost one of its great stalwarts.
Barbados’ leading referee, judge, official and trainer Derek Herbert passed away yesterday at the age of 60 following a lengthy illness.
A staffer of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for 38 years, Herbert was most renowned in his role as a licensed World Boxing Council judge and referee in a 27-year career spanning 98 bouts.
After his recent retirement, he conducted training courses for prospective officials in the sport.
“This is a blow not only to boxing but to all sports in general because he made a contribution to so many sports in some manner,” said secretary of the Amateur Boxing Association, Kathy Harper-Hall.
Herbert had the distinction of playing a representative role at the national level for at least six different sports, having served as either a medic or trainer in boxing, basketball, cricket, hockey, football and volleyball. (JM)
