Lightweight boxer, referee, fight judge

George Latka, 93, former lightweight fighter in Los Angeles in the 1940s who later became a boxing referee, judge and trainer, died Wednesday in Huntington Beach of natural causes, promoter Don Fraser announced.

Nicknamed the Professor, Latka had a record of 26-7-9, with three knockouts in a pro career that dated from 1937 to 1942. He headlined many fight cards at the old Hollywood Legion Stadium and the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Among the highlights of his career were a draw against Sammy Angott, the world lightweight champion who had defeated featherweight champion Willie Pep in his previous fight. In his last two fights Latka defeated former champions Richie Lamos and Petey Scalzo.

After retiring at age 28, Latka became a judge and referee for many title fights. He was in the ring for the Sugar Ramos-Davey Moore fight at Dodger Stadium in 1963 when Moore struck the back of his neck on the bottom rope, suffering a brain stem injury from which he died days later.

Latka was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. He also had bit parts in movies as a boxing referee, including in “Raging Bull.”

Born in 1914, Latka grew up in Pueblo, Colo., and later moved with his family to Gary, Ind., where he learned to box and won Golden Gloves titles from 1934 to 1936. He earned a scholarship to box in the intercollegiate program at San Jose State but left school early to turn pro.

He resumed his education and earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA. He worked as a teacher and at Douglas Aircraft. In recent years he owned a tavern in Huntington Beach, where his boxing memorabilia was displayed.