New referee announced for Pavlik-Hopkins fight

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After Kelly Pavlik‘s camp lodged a formal complaint against the referee scheduled to work the unbeaten fighter’s 170-pound, pay-per-view fight Saturday night against Bernard Hopkins, the New Jersey Athletic Control Board announced today that Benjy Esteves Jr. is the replacement ref.

Esteves most recently worked a title fight last year when he was assigned to the David Diaz-Erik Morales lightweight championship bout in Illinois. He also supervised the Antonio Margarito-Joshua Clottey welterweight bout in New Jersey in 2006, along with that year’s Hopkins-Antonio Tarver fight (won by Tarver via decision).

He replaces Earl Morton, who Pavlik’s manager, Cameron Dunkin, alleged was a friend of Hopkins. Dunkin said he learned of the boxer and ref’s past associations from fighters he represents in the New Jersey/Philadelphia area. Dunkin said he was concerned Morton would allow Hopkins’ aggressive, physical style to dictate the fight without discipline.

Hopkins downplayed his relationship with Morton to the Press of Atlantic City: ‘I’ve been involved with boxing over 20 years as a fighter and a promoter, so I’ve probably met everyone at some point,’ Hopkins, 43, said. ‘Just because I’ve met someone doesn’t mean I’m friends with them.’

-- Lance Pugmire

Bernard Hopkins.