Carmen Williamson, the first black Olympic boxing ref, passes away from COVID-19

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The first-ever black American to become an Olympic boxing referee during 1984 died due to COVID-19 at the age of 94.

Carmen Williamson was one of the most prominent amateur boxers in the US from the 1940’s to the 1950’s and later transitioned into serving as one of the referees in the boxing event of the Olympics.

Aside from being the first black American to notch Olympic officiating duties, Williamson later on became one of the judges to help decide the bouts.

Before entering the Olympics, Williamson during the 1980’s traveled the world and used to teach the basics of boxing using his training program he once founded.

“He loved education, the process, the classes. He wanted to teach. It gave you something positive to do through exercise and discipline. He wanted young men around the world to stand honorably,” said Celia Williamson, the youngest of his four surviving daughters.

Williamson fought in the featherweight division and had an astounding 250-14 career record in his 10-year span of being a boxer.

He also served in the Navy and was under the Army’s automotive tank division in Warren, Michigan for more than 40 years.