Frank Cappuccino

Frank Cappucino (born February 7, 1934 is a famous boxing referee. He is best known for having officiated over some of the most famous boxing matches in history.

History

Cappuccino (often shortened to Capcino) was born in Philadelphia and grew up in the neighborhood known as Kensington. Both Frank and his brother Vito (Vic) were accomplished boxers. Frank fought more than 130 amateur bouts in the early-1950s. He participated in the Pennsylvania State championships and was a finalist in both the Diamond Belt and Golden Glove Tournaments. Leaving the amateur ranks in 1955, Cappucino turned professional under the management of George Katz and was undefeated in six professional matches.

Cappuccino received his Referee’s License in 1958. In nearly half a century, he has been the third man in the ring for over 20,000 bouts, including an estimated 10,000 professional matches. He has officiated 94 world championship bouts in North America, Europe and Asia. Some of his most notable fights included:

• Mickey Ward decisioned (10 rounds) Arturo Gatti, May 19, 2002, Uncasville, CT. It is considered by many boxing purists as “The Fight of the Century.” Cappuccino played a prominent role by masterful refereeing this tight and savage battle. In the fourth round, Gatti blasts a low punch into Ward’s groin sending him down in pain. Cappuccino calls it a slip and takes a point from Gatti for the low blow. In the ninth round, Ward and Gatti landed an incredible 110 total punches—102 of them power shots! Late in the round, Gatti was enduring a severe beating from Ward; but the seasoned Cappuccino still saw some fight left in Arturo. It was a seminal moment; knowing the monumental nature of this fight, Cappuccino will not end this brawl on some technicality. Indeed, Gatti responded and fought back as the bell sounded. After the round, ring announcer Jim Lampley told a national audience, “The fight is being stopped!” Ward raised his arms in victory and both fighters approached the center of the ring. Cappuccino tells the world, “The fight ain’t over!” The fight resumed for the tenth and final round as people rushed back into their seats. The fight was ruled a majority decision for Ward. Had Cappuccino not penalized Gatti for the punch below the belt, the fight would have ended in a draw. However, the deduction was just as he warned Gatti about punching low several times before.
• Lennox Lewis TKO (5th round) Shannon Briggs, for Lewis’ WBC Heavyweight Title, March 28,1998, Atlantic City, NJ. In the fifth round, Briggs was beaten repeatedly by Lewis and was knocked down. Briggs got up on his feet and convinced Cappuccino to let him continue. After tasking more punishment from Lennox Lewis, Shannon Briggs launched a wild left hook that misses Lewis. The momentum of the errant punch fells the weakened Briggs to the canvas. Cappuccino had seen enough and justly ended the fight.
• Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins TKO (11th round) Carl Daniels, for Lewis’ Undisputed WBC, WBA, and IBF Middleweight Title, February 2, 2002. The fight marked Hopkins’ 15th consecutive successful title defense - breaking the 25-year-old middleweight championship defense record held by Carlos Monzon. Cappuccino stopped the bout on the advice of Daniels' corner.
• Mike Tyson KO’d (1st round) Michael Spinks, for Tyson’s Undisputed WBC, WBA, and IBF Heavyweight Title, June 27, 1988, Atlantic City, NJ. In a battle of undefeated fighters, Tyson knocked Spinks out in 91 seconds. Cappuccino is prominently featured in Sports Illustrated magazine. Cappuccino considered it the greatest moment of his referee career. He commented, "I remember thinking here I am, a guy from Kensington, and I’m in the ring, looking out in the crowd, and I see people like Charlie Sheen and Jack Nicholson and Martin Sheen. It was really something special. And people like Oprah Winfrey and Frank Sinatra missed the fight because it only lasted ninety-one seconds." Cappuccino and the oft-maligned Tyson have a unique relationship. Frank has refereed six of his bouts. When asked about Tyson, Cappuccino replied, "I can't say a bad thing about Mike Tyson. He's always been very good to me."
Boxing experts tend to praise Frank Cappuccino’s work in the squared circle. He seldom jumps in too early with a stoppage, unless someone has quit in the ring. He lets a man have a chance to comeback, unless it's obvious he can't. This was best evidenced in the Ward-vs.-Gatti fight. Asked about having Cappuccino do the Ward-Gatti rematch, Mickey Ward replied, “Frank was great and still is. He's an old guy but he does his homework and lets you fight your fight. I'd love to get Frank again. He does everything with his voice. I have a lot of respect for him…”

Movies

Frank Cappuccino portrayed a referee in Rocky V.

Other Biographical Information

Outside the ring, Frank Cappucinno was a supervisor for the Keebler Baking Company. He also served as a sanitation control inspector for the Philadelphia School District. He has also served as a boxing judge for several fights. He resides in Yardley, PA.