Randy Neumann
Randy Neumann (born July 21, 1948) is an American former professional heavyweight boxer and longtime boxing referee known for his active career in the sport during the 1970s and his subsequent officiating roles in major title fights.[1] Born and raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, Neumann attended local schools, served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in business administration in 1975; as a teenager in the 1960s, he worked as a lifeguard at Palisades Amusement Park.[1] His amateur boxing record stood at 15 fights, leading to a professional debut on August 18, 1969, where he compiled a 31-7 record with 11 knockouts over 38 bouts through 1977, retiring at age 28 after a brief return from an earlier exit in 1975.[2] Notable opponents included Jerry Quarry, to whom he lost by stoppage in January 1973; Chuck Wepner, against whom he suffered a loss by technical decision in March 1974 while contesting the New Jersey heavyweight title; Jimmy Young; and Duane Bobick, with a defeat at Madison Square Garden in December 1975.[2] Ranked as high as No. 9 in the heavyweight division by The Ring magazine in 1975, Neumann transitioned to refereeing in the late 1970s, eventually officiating over 1,000 professional fights, including more than 20 world title bouts and as many as 50 championship contests involving prominent fighters such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Wladimir Klitschko, Roberto Duran, Wilfred Benitez, and Dwight Muhammad Qawi.[1][3] One of his most acclaimed performances came on July 21, 1989, when he stopped the Mike Tyson-Carl Williams heavyweight title fight after just 93 seconds in the first round, citing Williams' unresponsiveness and signs of a possible concussion following a knockdown—a decision later praised by a New York University neurologist as an exemplary "10-second neurological exam."[4] Neumann has been inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame (1994) and the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame (2022), recognizing his dual contributions to the sport.[1][3] Beyond boxing, he pursued a career in finance, working in banking before becoming a Certified Financial Planner and founding Access Financial Planning in Clifton, New Jersey; with his wife Kathleen and boxing figure Bob Lee Sr., he established the sport's first pension plan for boxers.[1] Neumann resides in Ridgewood, New Jersey, with his wife and their four children.[1]Early Life and Background
Birth and Upbringing
Randolph Neumann, known professionally as Randy Neumann, was born on July 21, 1948, in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.[1] Raised in this small Hudson County borough, he attended the local school system amid a community that had earlier produced world light heavyweight champion Gus Lesnevich, fostering an environment steeped in boxing heritage.[1] From an early age, Neumann demonstrated a competitive and self-reliant nature, shaped by his upbringing in the close-knit, working-class town along the Palisades.[5] As a teenager in the 1960s, he worked as a lifeguard at the nearby Palisades Amusement Park, a seasonal job that echoed the experiences of local boxing figures like Lesnevich decades earlier.[1] This period highlighted his physical discipline and familiarity with the rugged outdoor activities of northern New Jersey. Neumann's initial spark for boxing emerged through casual athletic pursuits. A physical fitness enthusiast, he frequented the West Side YMCA, where he sparred lightly with friends to build stamina.[6] On one occasion, when a sparring partner failed to appear, Neumann stepped in to box against a professional, impressing observers with his natural aptitude and poise under pressure.[6] These youthful encounters in local gyms and community spaces ignited his interest in the sport, amid the challenges of adolescent life in a modest suburban setting. This foundation propelled him toward higher education.[1]Education and Early Interests
Neumann initially attended college in Manhattan, where he maintained his physical conditioning at the West Side YMCA and connected with trainer Gil Clancy to begin formal boxing preparation.[1] He later served briefly in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era.[1] Neumann then attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he pursued a degree in business administration, enrolling around 1970 and balancing his academic commitments with the demands of early athletic training.[5] To fund his education, Neumann worked his way through college as a professional boxer, leveraging his competitive drive honed in Cliffside Park to support his studies.[5] This intersection of academics and athletics exemplified his self-reliant approach, allowing him to sharpen boxing skills without derailing his business-focused education.[5] Neumann graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.[5] During his university years, his primary interests centered on business principles and practical financial acumen, which he applied through part-time boxing pursuits rather than extracurriculars in other fields.[5] No records indicate participation in academic honors, theater workshops, or communication programs at the institution.Boxing Career
Professional Debut and Rise
Randy Neumann made his professional boxing debut on August 18, 1969, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where he defeated Jeff Marx by knockout in the first round.[1] This victory marked the beginning of an impressive start in the heavyweight division, as Neumann quickly established himself with a series of wins in regional bouts primarily held in New Jersey and New York venues such as Embassy Hall in North Bergen and the Armory in Jersey City.[2] Following his debut, Neumann compiled an 11-fight winning streak through mid-1970, showcasing his punching power with multiple knockouts and decisions against journeyman opponents, which garnered him early recognition within the New Jersey boxing scene as a promising local heavyweight.[2] He trained at the West Side YMCA in his early days before moving to Gleason's Gym in the South Bronx, where he honed his skills under a disciplined regimen emphasizing fundamentals and endurance. Managed by promoter Joe Vella, Neumann's early career benefited from Vella's connections in the Northeast boxing circuit, allowing him to secure consistent opportunities against regionally ranked fighters.[1][7] By 1971, after a brief setback, Neumann embarked on another seven-fight winning streak, solidifying his progression in the heavyweight ranks and earning broader East Coast attention for his aggressive style and resilience.[2] This consistent success propelled him into contention, culminating in his entry into the top 10 of the Ring Magazine heavyweight rankings by 1975, where he was positioned at No. 9, reflecting his climb from regional prospect to nationally regarded challenger in a competitive era.[1][8]Notable Fights and Achievements
One of Randy Neumann's early career highlights came on December 9, 1971, when he captured the New Jersey State Heavyweight Title by unanimous decision over Chuck Wepner at Embassy Hall in North Bergen, New Jersey.[9] The 12-round bout, fought under the state's then-standard two-minute rounds, saw Neumann outbox the durable Wepner with superior footwork and combination punching, controlling the pace to secure scores of 12-0, 11-1, and 10-2 from the judges.[10] This victory marked Neumann's first major title and elevated his profile in the crowded 1970s heavyweight division, where he demonstrated tactical discipline against a battle-tested opponent known for his resilience.[1] Neumann's subsequent bouts against prominent contenders further showcased his competitiveness. On March 10, 1972, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, he defeated Jimmy Young by unanimous decision in a 10-round fight, using effective jab work and ring generalship to neutralize Young's unorthodox style and win on points with scores of 7-3 twice and 6-4.[2] Later that year, Neumann lost a rematch to Wepner on April 15, 1972, at the Jersey City Armory, dropping the title in another 12-round decision amid a grueling exchange where Wepner's pressure tested Neumann's endurance.[11] A third meeting on March 8, 1974, at Madison Square Garden ended in a sixth-round technical knockout loss for Neumann due to a severe laceration from a head clash, halting what had become a heated trilogy.[12] In 1973, Neumann faced a stern test against former top contender Jerry Quarry on January 5 at Madison Square Garden. Quarry, returning from a layoff, dominated with heavy body shots in the early rounds before unleashing a barrage to the head that opened a deep cut over Neumann's eye, prompting the ringside physician to stop the fight in the seventh round of the scheduled 10-rounder.[13] Despite the loss, Neumann's ability to absorb punishment and counter effectively in spurts highlighted his toughness in a division dominated by power punchers. He rebounded with victories over rated opponents, including a unanimous decision over Boone Kirkman on September 5, 1975, at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, where his technical boxing outpointed the veteran in 10 rounds.[2] These performances contributed to Neumann achieving a worldwide No. 9 ranking in the heavyweight division by Ring Magazine in 1975, placing him among elite contenders during a talent-rich era featuring Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman.[1] His wins over world-rated fighters like Young and Kirkman, combined with competitive showings against Quarry and Wepner, underscored Neumann's standing as a skilled, if not overpowering, heavyweight who navigated the 1970s scene through savvy ringcraft rather than sheer knockout power.[12]Retirement and Brief Return
Neumann retired from professional boxing in December 1975 following a fourth-round TKO loss to unbeaten heavyweight prospect Duane Bobick at Madison Square Garden in New York City, marking the end of his active career at age 28.[2][1] The decision was influenced by a combination of accumulating physical injuries, financial hardships from inconsistent purses, controversial decisions in prior bouts, and the emotional exhaustion of the sport's demands, which he later described as having depleted his "iron resolve and steel will."[14] In an interview, Neumann reflected on the toll, stating, "The bad decisions, the short purses, the disqualification, the blood and the anguish over not being able to make ends meet, despite dedication to an arduous task, had taken their toll."[14] Immediately after retiring, Neumann shifted focus to his education and creative pursuits, enrolling in the Warren Robertson Theater Workshop in New York City to study acting while taking on roles in television commercials and writing short stories for magazines.[14] These activities represented a deliberate transition away from the rigors of boxing toward more stable, intellectually fulfilling endeavors, allowing him to complete his formal training and build a foundation in the arts.[14] In April 1977, Neumann made a brief comeback attempt in the newly established cruiserweight division (limited to 200 pounds), facing Ibar Arrington on April 15 in Jersey City, New Jersey, as part of a televised three-fight contract worth $50,000.[2][14] The bout, broadcast nationally, saw Neumann dominating early and leading on the scorecards after three rounds, but it ended abruptly after the fourth when a severe cut over his left eye caused excessive bleeding, prompting the referee to stop the fight and award Arrington a technical knockout victory.[2] Mid-round, Neumann confided to his trainer Chickie Ferrara, "I think I've got enough," signaling his realization that the physical and mental strain outweighed any potential benefits, leading to his permanent retirement from the ring shortly thereafter.[14]Professional Record
Randy Neumann's professional boxing record stands at 31 wins, 11 by knockout, 7 losses, and 0 draws over 38 bouts, spanning from August 1969 to April 1977.[2] The following table details all of his professional fights, including dates, opponents, results, methods, rounds, and locations:| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977-04-15 | Ibar Arrington | Loss | TKO | 4 | Dickinson High School, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA |
| 1975-12-12 | Duane Bobick | Loss | TKO | 4 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |
| 1975-10-25 | Bobby Walker | Win | KO | 2 | Long Island Arena, Commack, New York, USA |
| 1975-09-05 | Boone Kirkman | Win | UD | 10 | Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| 1975-06-14 | Wendell Joseph | Loss | UD | 10 | Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| 1975-06-07 | Billy Aird | Win | TKO | 8 | Cunard Hotel, Hammersmith, England |
| 1975-04-12 | Larry Renaud | Win | KO | 3 | Orlando Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, USA |
| 1975-03-?? | Bob Scott | Win | KO | 4 | Bimini, Bahamas |
| 1975-02-12 | Larry Beilfuss | Win | TKO | 2 | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA |
| 1974-12-?? | Carl Baker | Win | KO | 5 | Nassau, Bahamas |
| 1974-03-08 | Chuck Wepner | Loss | TKO | 6 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |
| 1973-11-16 | Raul Gorosito | Win | UD | 10 | Felt Forum, New York, New York, USA |
| 1973-09-14 | Pedro Agosto | Win | TKO | 8 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |
| 1973-04-21 | Doug Kirk | Win | UD | 10 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1973-01-05 | Jerry Quarry | Loss | TKO | 7 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |
| 1972-10-14 | GG Maldonado | Win | KO | 4 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1972-09-16 | Alex Carr | Win | KO | 3 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1972-04-15 | Chuck Wepner | Loss | UD | 12 | Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA |
| 1972-03-10 | Jimmy Young | Win | UD | 10 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |
| 1971-12-04 | Chuck Wepner | Win | UD | 12 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1971-11-05 | Raul Gorosito | Win | UD | 10 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |
| 1971-10-09 | Bob Castle | Win | KO | 2 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1971-06-12 | Brian O'Melia | Win | KO | 3 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1971-05-15 | Raul Gorosito | Win | TKO | 6 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1971-04-17 | Tony Norris | Win | KO | 1 | Armory, Paterson, New Jersey, USA |
| 1971-03-20 | Jimmy Harris | Win | KO | 4 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1971-02-13 | Jimmy Harris | Loss | UD | 6 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1970-06-20 | Edmund Stewart | Win | UD | 8 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |
| 1970-05-16 | Edmund Stewart | Win | UD | 8 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1970-04-25 | Richard Pittman | Win | KO | 1 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1970-03-28 | Len Couture | Win | KO | 2 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1970-02-21 | Tony Gagliardo | Win | UD | 8 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |
| 1970-01-24 | Angel Viera | Win | TKO | 2 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1969-12-06 | Junior Wilkerson | Win | UD | 6 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |
| 1969-11-08 | Junior Wilkerson | Win | UD | 6 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1969-10-18 | George Simpson | Win | KO | 1 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA |
| 1969-10-04 | Junior Wilkerson | Win | KO | 4 | Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA |
| 1969-08-18 | Jeff Marx | Win | KO | 1 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA |