Sport: Boxing
Born: December 7, 1944
Town: Newark, New Jersey
Larry Hazzard was born December 7, 1944 in Newark, NJ. As a boy, Larry’s sports idols included Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson. Not only were they champions in their profession, they were known for giving back to their communities and working to advance the cause of racial equality. Larry began boxing in local gyms and, by the time he enrolled at Central High School, he had established himself as a Golden Gloves contender. Larry went on to capture Golden Gloves and AAU titles before he graduated.
Larry eschewed the chance to turn pro and focused instead on his education. He did not leave the sport, however, beginning his career as a boxing referee and judge in 1967. He also expanded his martial arts participation to jiu-jitsu, attaining a black belt at the age of 23. Larry graduated from Montclair State cum laude in 1972 and became a high-school phys ed. Instructor and department head.
At the age of 33, Larry embarked on his career as a professional boxing referee. The timing was no coincidence; it was the late-1970s and New Jersey was on its way to reclaiming its status as a major championship venue. His first match was a draw between Mike Quarry and Kevin Smith at Ice World in Totowa. In 1980, Larry refereed his first title fight, between IBF Junior Flyweight champion Yoko Gushiken and Martin Vargas—in Japan. His next title fight was the classic slugfest between Sean O’Grady and Hilmer Kenty in Atlantic City. In 1982, Larry officiated the championship fight between Marvin Hagler and Caveman Lee, also in AC.
Larry’s most famous fight occurred in Atlantic City 1983, between Michael Spinks and Dwight Muhammad Qawi. Spinks won a 15-round decision to unify the Light Heavyweight crown. By then, Larry had become a familiar face to HBO boxing viewers. In all, he was in the ring for more than 40 title bouts.
In 1985, Governor Tom Kean appointed Larry commissioner of the State Athletic Control Board. He held this position for more than two decades, leaving in 2007 to work with a Newark non-profit and later as an executive for the IBF and a boxing commentator for NBC. Larry returned to the ring briefly in the early 1990s, refereeing a fight between Buddy McGirt and Pernell Whitaker and also working the Riddick Bowe-Jesse Ferguson bout. He also appeared in several films, playing a boxing referee.
Larry returned to the education field, serving as head of a Newark charter school for a year in 2012. In 2010, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. 2019, Larry was enshrined in the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.