One year ago: Lou Filippo

Lou Filippo, a Hall of Fame boxer from Downey who had a second career in the ring as a referee and judge, became known to a wider audience through his appearances in the "Rocky" movie series starring Sylvester Stallone. Filippo died one year ago at age 83.

Times boxing writer Lance Pugmire recounted one movie scene in his obituary of Filippo:

In "Rocky II," Filippo tells Stallone's bloodied character Rocky Balboa before the epic 15th round, "Hey, Rock, you get in trouble one more time ... ," to which Balboa answers, "Don't stop nothing!" When both fighters fall to the canvas on a Balboa punch and Creed slumps in a corner, Filippo tells the champ, "You're out!"

Filippo ruled in 85 real-life championship bouts, including the 1987 Sugar Ray Leonard-Marvin Hagler fight (won by Leonard in a split decision) and the 2000 Shane Mosley-Oscar De La Hoya fight at Staples Center (another split decision, won by Mosley).

Filippo told his family that the most important aspect of his job as ring referee or judge was to maintain integrity and to "listen to yourself, not the fans."

Read more about Filippo in the news obituary that appeared in The Times.

-- Claire Noland

Photo: Lou Filippo in 1954. Credit: Los Angeles Times