Carlos Padilla Jr.

Carlos "Sonny" Dolorico Padilla Jr. (Tagalog pronunciation: [paˈdɪʎa]; born April 19, 1934[1]) is a retired actor and boxing referee and judge from the Philippines. He is best known for refereeing the "Thrilla in Manila" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975.[2]

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Dolorico and the surname or paternal family name is Padilla.
Carlos Padilla Jr.
Born
Carlos Dolorico Padilla Jr.

(1934-04-19) April 19, 1934
Manila, Philippines
NationalityPhilippines Filipino
SpouseEsperanza Perez
ChildrenZsa Zsa Padilla
ParentCarlos Padilla Sr. (father)
RelativesPadilla family

Career

The son of an Olympic boxer and actor, Padilla's professional career began as an actor, where he was known a commercial advertisement of "Family Rubbing Alcohol" with the famous slogan, Hindi lang pampamilya, pang-isports pa. His acting career spanned over 40 years, with his final credited role in Sige, Subukan Mo in 1998.

Padilla first came to international prominence as a referee when he refereed the third fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, known as the "Thrilla in Manila".[2] Before the fight, Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch, who was concerned about potential officiating bias, objected to all three American referees who had traveled to the Philippines, so Padilla -- then a little-known local official -- was selected as a late replacement, finding out of his selection the day before the fight.[2] Despite having 11 years of experience, it was Padilla's first time officiating a fight above the 135-lb. weight class.[3] On his official scorecard for the fight (which Ali won by TKO after 14 rounds),[4] Padilla scored in favor of Ali, 66-60.[5]

Encouraged by Don King (who had previously objected to Padilla's inclusion in the fight),[6] Padilla relocated to the United States afterwards,[7] and went on to officiate many high-profile boxing matches through the next two-plus decades, including Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Wilfred Benítez, Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas, Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Durán 1, Thomas Hearns vs. Roberto Durán, Julio César Chávez vs. Ruben Castillo, Dwight Muhammad Qawi vs. Matthew Saad Muhammad and Salvador Sánchez vs. Wilfredo Gómez. He refereed his final bout on October 14, 2000, between Manny Pacquiao and Nedal Hussein in the Philippines, a fight in which he admitted to cheating in order to help Pacquiao win.[8]

Personal life

Padilla is the son of actor and Olympic boxer Carlos Padilla Sr.[2] He is also father to singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla and a grandfather to Karylle and Zia.[9][10]

He was given a lifetime achievement award by the Philippine Sportswriters Association in 2011.[11][12]

Filmography
Year Title Role Note(s)Ref(s).
1958 Malvarosa Alberto
1959 Blessings of the Land Arturo
1961 Apollo Robles
1962 Mapusok Na Paghihiganti
El filibusterismo Isagani [13]
Albano Brothers
Kapit sa Patalim
Leon Marahas
1963 Tres Cantos
Sigaw ng Digmaan
1964 Andres Bonifacio (Ang Supremo)
Saan Mang Sulok ng Daigdig
1965 Hamon sa Bandila
Captain Barbell Kontra Captain Bakal Dario
Tatak Barbaro
Anghel sa Aking Balikat
1966 Dakilang Balatkayo
Dodong Tricycle
1969 Capitan Pepe
Anim ang Dapat Patayin
Perlas ng Silangan
Patria Adorada (Dugo ng Bayani)
1971 Asedillo
1974 The Manila Connection
1975 Hoy Mister... Ako ang Misis Mo!
1976 Nunal sa Tubig Dr. Villamaria
The System
Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo
1998 Sige, Subukan Mo Kanor

References
  1. "Carlos Dolorico Padilla, Jr". geni_family_tree. 19 April 1934. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  2. Samaco, Maloney L. "Carlos Padilla Jr. – The Greatest Filipino International Referee". PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  3. "Pulling no punches: Carlos Padilla on refereeing the Thrilla in Manila". Rappler. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  4. "Muhammad Ali TKOs Joe Frazier in 14th round in 1975 Thrilla in Manila". nydailynews.com. October 2015. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  5. Anderson, Dave (2016-06-11). "Title Retained After Ugly End to the 'Thrilla in Manila' (Published 2016)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  6. "Sonny Padilla shares limelight with Ali and Frazier in 'Thrilla'". The Manila Times. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  7. "ASIAN JOURNAL a San Diego original. The 1st Asian Journal in Ca,USA. A Filipino American weekly. Online | Digital | Print Editions". asianjournalusa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  8. Maragay, Dino (29 November 2022). "Filipino referee admits to cheating, helping Pacquiao win fight in 2000". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  9. Altatis, Conan (2018-08-29). "Karylle pays tribute to Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier III referee Carlos Padilla Jr". CONAN Daily. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  10. "Karylle dedicates Vegas performance to Padilla men". ABS-CBN News. 2008-11-28. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  11. "PSA to honor 'The Maestro,' 'Thrilla' referee". Manila Bulletin. 2011-02-04. Archived from the original on 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
  12. "PSA fetes coaching legend, 'Thrilla' ref". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  13. CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art: Volume VIII - Philippine Film. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. p. 155. ISBN 971-8546-23-5. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
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