Boxing Hall of Famer Lou Filippo dies at 83

Nov 5, 2009 - 5:14 PM LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Lou Filippo, a World Boxing Hall of Famer who judged 85 world champion fights and had small roles in the "Rocky" movies, has died. He was 83.

Hall of Fame Treasurer Josie Mejia (JOH'-see me-HEE'-yuh) says Filippo suffered a stroke and died Monday at a hospital in the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, where he lived. He had judged a fight only two weeks ago.

Filippo was the hall's former president. He was in more than 250 amateur fights and had a professional record of 28 wins, nine losses and three draws before retiring in 1957.

Filippo later became a referee and judge. In 1987, he favored Marvin Hagler in a controversial championship fight that Sugar Ray Leonard won by split decision.

Filippo played the fight announcer or referee in five "Rocky" films.