Stephen Blea, born in
Denver, Colorado, began boxing at the age of 10, and having over 51
years with his involvement in the sport of boxing.
Stephen who is currently with the WBC as a Referee/Judge and also
involved with their WBC Cares Program along with his fiancee Raylene.
Stephen has many "firsts" in regards to Women's Boxing. He was the only
Male Official that would referee women boxers in the Golden Gloves when
women were finally allowed to box.
The same was true when they were allowed to box in the Pros under the
old governing body before their Boxing commission was finally
established in 2001.
Stephen has officiated well over 60 World Title Fights, 36 as a Judge
and 32 as a Referee. 434 Bouts as a Pro Referee and 202 as a Pro Judge.
His biggest achievement to him was as an Amateur Boxing Coach with 26
National Champions, two USA Boxing Teams where he had an opportunity to
Coach.
His female boxers, Nicole Herrera, Kyla Barraza both were National
Bronze Medalists, and Brittany Cruz was Silver Medalist.
Most importantly was that 90% of his boxers all have graduated from high
school, and 15 of them are college graduates, this while he was a boxing
coach with the Colorado Golden Gloves and the Denver Police Youth Boxing
Programs. Those to him are the "Best Awards" anyone can receive.
Stephen Blea said, "I am truly honored to be Inducted into the Women’s
International Hall of Fame. I thank my mentors, that includes my father,
Samuel Blea Jr., my mom and my siblings, Don Jose Sulaiman and my WBC
and NABF families for helping gain this platform in order to continue to
give back to the community along with my partner and love of my life
Raylene."
I would also like to thank WBAN and Sue Fox, and my former boxer Nicole
Herrera for nominating me for this honor. I am truly blessed. Thank you
and congratulations to all the present and past Hall of Fame Inductees!"
His list of credentials for what he has done in boxing to support not
only female boxing, but all faucets in the sport. He is a professional
boxing referee/Judge at the World Boxing Council (WBC); pro referee and
judge at the WBC International Boxing, Muay Thai / MMA judge; former
head coach Level Four at USA Boxing; Former head coach at Denver Police
Department; Former R/J AIBA at USA Boxing; and manages the WBC Cares
USA/Colorado, among many other outstanding accomplishments
that are too long to list.
