Boxing / UFC etc. -- referee asks "any questions?" before the bout

[DarrenS]

This seems weird to me. Wouldn’t it seem kinda…nerdy, or misplaced to start asking questions before they’re about to fight? Why do referees do this, and has any fighter ever actually asked a question?

I can imagine someone like Ali taking the opportunity to taunt the other guy – “Yeah…I just want to know what hospital you’re taking this fool to after I’m done with his ass” or some such.

[don_t_ask]

I’d take the opportunity to ask him about the plane on a treadmill problem.

[DarrenS]

@don_t_ask

I’d take the opportunity to ask him about the plane on a treadmill problem.

Great nick/post combination.

[pravnik]

Weirdly enough, it’s often a requirement of state law or regulation. Regulations regarding combative sports often cover everything that goes on from start to finish in minutiae, from the spacing of the chairs and aisles to the pre-fight script of the referee, and they are enforced to the point of obsession. Just to pick one at random, from the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission’s Ref and Judge Manual:

XII. Duties of the referee upon combatants entering the ring
When the combatants enter the ring, you will conduct your final inspection prior to the start of the bout. Areas of concern will be:

• Check the gloves to make sure that they have not been twisted or damaged
• Check for proper taping of the gloves, no loose ends or debris, verify that the gloves have been initialed by the Commission inspector
• Check the mouthpiece in the participants’ mouth
• Ask combatant if they have their groin protector
• Make a general inspection of the participants for such things as excessive grease, body piercing adornments, earrings or jewelry
• When you bring the combatants to the center of the ring for any final instructions the combatants should be ready to start fighting at the command of the referee.
• Advise the combatants and their chief seconds that they have received their instructions in the dressing room. Ask at this time if they have any questions, if not, remind the participants to protect themselves at all times, obey your commands, touch gloves and start fighting at the sound of the bell.

http://www.mnboxingmmacommission.com/MMA_Officials_Handbook.pdf

[pravnik]

Incidentally, there is an instance of a fighter asking a question when asked. Dan Severn had an interesting one for Big John McCarthy.

Big John: “Do you have any questions at all?”

Severn: “If I was traveling 10 miles an hour, and a train was traveling at 50 miles per hour, and I got to travel a 30 minute distance, how many apples does Mary have left in the basket?”

Big John: “She’s got a monkey, you big smart aleck. Fight smart.”

Dan Severn Jokes With Big John McCarthy

[pravnik]

Too late to edit - I think it’s actually

Big John: “Do you have any questions at all?”

Severn: “If I was traveling 10 miles an hour, and a train was traveling at 50 miles per hour, and I got to travel a 30 minute distance, how many apples does Mary have left in the basket?”

Big John: “She’s got a monkey. Good luck, you fight smart.”

[DarrenS]

Thanks for the answer, pravnik. Makes sense, though it seems kinda quaint or redundant nowadays. Like those pre-911 security questions about packing your own bag, etc.

I also wonder if it’s kind of a sanity check – make sure both fighters are awake and alert, by making them answer (or at least acknowledge) a question, namely, “Do you have any questions?”. I guess it could also be a CYA thing – the promoter can now say that the fighters had their chance to ask questions, but didn’t.

[Andrew_21]

@DarrenS

Why do referees do this, and has any fighter ever actually asked a question?

Antonio Tarver did, in his second match with Roy Jones. Here is a link to the video.

[Dinsdale]

That’s too funny, prav. I’ve always thought Big John would be a fun guy to knock a few back with!

[pravnik]

@Dinsdale

That’s too funny, prav. I’ve always thought Big John would be a fun guy to knock a few back with!

Most definitely.

[pravnik]

@DarrenS

Thanks for the answer, pravnik. Makes sense, though it seems kinda quaint or redundant nowadays. Like those pre-911 security questions about packing your own bag, etc.

I also wonder if it’s kind of a sanity check – make sure both fighters are awake and alert, by making them answer (or at least acknowledge) a question, namely, “Do you have any questions?”. I guess it could also be a CYA thing – the promoter can now say that the fighters had their chance to ask questions, but didn’t.

That’s as as good a reason as any. It gives the ref a chance to get a little feedback from the fighters and assess their mental state going into the fight, and seeing that the rules are adhered to as closely as possible is definitely good CYA for the promoter.