Carlos "Sonny" Dolorico Padilla Jr. (Tagalog pronunciation: [paˈdilja]; born April 19, 1934[1]) is a retired actor and boxing referee and judge from the Philippines. He is best known for refereeing the "Thrilla in Manila" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975.[2]
The son of an Olympic boxer and actor, Padilla's professional career began as an actor, where he was known a commercial advertisement of "Family Rubbing Alcohol" with the famous slogan, Hindi lang pampamilya, pang-isports pa. His acting career spanned over 40 years, with his final credited role in Sige, Subukan Mo in 1998.
Padilla first came to international prominence as a referee when he refereed the third fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, known as the "Thrilla in Manila".[2] Before the fight, Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch, who was concerned about potential officiating bias and had strongly criticized the performance of referee Tony Perez during Ali and Frazier's second fight, objected to all three American referees who had traveled to the Philippines. Futch suggested that a local official should be used, so Padilla, who was little known outside his home country, was chosen; Padilla only learned of his selection the day before the fight.[2] Despite having 11 years of experience, it was Padilla's first time officiating a fight above the 135-lb. weight class.[3] On his official scorecard for the fight (which Ali won by TKO after 14 rounds),[4] Padilla scored in favor of Ali, 66-60.[5]
Encouraged by Don King (who had previously objected to Padilla's inclusion in the fight),[6] Padilla relocated to the United States afterwards,[7] and went on to officiate many high-profile boxing matches through the next two-plus decades.
He refereed his final bout on October 14, 2000, between Manny Pacquiao and Nedal Hussein in the Philippines, a fight in which he admitted to cheating in order to help Pacquiao win.[8]
Padilla is the son of actor and Olympic boxer Carlos Padilla Sr.[2] He is also father to singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla and a grandfather to Karylle and Zia.[9][10]
He was given a lifetime achievement award by the Philippine Sportswriters Association in 2011.[11][12]
| Year | Title | Role | Note(s) | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Malvarosa | Alberto | ||
| 1959 | Blessings of the Land | Arturo | ||
| 1961 | Apollo Robles | |||
| 1962 | Mapusok Na Paghihiganti | |||
| El filibusterismo | Isagani | [13] | ||
| Albano Brothers | ||||
| Kapit sa Patalim | ||||
| Leon Marahas | ||||
| 1963 | Tres Cantos | |||
| Sigaw ng Digmaan | ||||
| 1964 | Andres Bonifacio (Ang Supremo) | |||
| Saan Mang Sulok ng Daigdig | ||||
| 1965 | Hamon sa Bandila | |||
| Captain Barbell Kontra Captain Bakal | Dario | |||
| Tatak Barbaro | ||||
| Anghel sa Aking Balikat | ||||
| 1966 | Dakilang Balatkayo | |||
| Dodong Tricycle | ||||
| 1969 | Capitan Pepe | |||
| Anim ang Dapat Patayin | ||||
| Perlas ng Silangan | ||||
| Patria Adorada (Dugo ng Bayani) | ||||
| 1971 | Asedillo | |||
| 1974 | The Manila Connection | |||
| 1975 | Hoy Mister... Ako ang Misis Mo! | |||
| 1976 | Nunal sa Tubig | Dr. Villamaria | ||
| The System | ||||
| Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo | ||||
| 1997 | Mauna Ka Susunod ako | Sarhento Eric De Guardia | Special participation | |
| 1998 | Sige, Subukan Mo | Kanor |
