Boxing stalwart passes on

THE BOXING FRATERNITY has lost one of its great stalwarts.
Barbados’ leading referee, judge, official and trainer Derek Herbert passed away yesterday at the age of 60 following a lengthy illness.
A staffer of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for 38 years, Herbert was most renowned in his role as a licensed World Boxing Council judge and referee in a 27-year career spanning 98 bouts.
After his recent retirement, he conducted training courses for prospective officials in the sport.
“This is a blow not only to boxing but to all sports in general because he made a contribution to so many sports in some manner,” said secretary of the Amateur Boxing Association, Kathy Harper-Hall.
Herbert had the distinction of playing a representative role at the national level for at least six different sports, having served as either a medic or trainer in boxing, basketball, cricket, hockey, football and volleyball. (JM)