Ray Corona
Boxing as the Third Man
Episode 167
Ray Corona, also known as Popeye Ray, grew up navigating a challenging environment in El Monte, Baldwin Park, and Bassett, California. His early years were marked by instability, spending time in foster care and various temporary homes before eventually residing with his mother once again. Surrounded by the harsh realities of gang life, Ray found himself drawn into that world for several years.
As he matured, Ray discovered a passion for boxing. Though he couldn’t pursue it as a professional fighter, he found a new calling as a boxing referee. After dedicating nine years to working as an amateur referee, Ray made the transition to a professional role, overseeing both boxing and MMA matches throughout Southern California and sometimes beyond California.
Today, Ray Corona continues to make an impact in the world of combat sports through his podcast, *Third Man in the Ring*, where he hosts discussions with fellow referees and professionals in the sport, sharing insights and experiences from his remarkable journey.
Instagram: @popeyeray
Podcast: Third Man in the Ring
Ray Corona Takeaways
Gang Life and Respect
Ray Corona grew up amidst significant gang activity in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. He emphasized that respect was a crucial element back then, but he believes it has diminished over time. He stressed that respect starts at home and lamented the current lack of it, especially among younger generations.
Childhood Challenges
Ray had a tumultuous childhood, including time in foster homes and juvenile detention centers like McLaren Hall. His mother was abusive, leading to his placement in foster care. Despite the hardships, he eventually reconciled with his mother before she passed away, finding peace and forgiveness.
Transformation Through Faith
Ray’s life took a significant turn when he became a Christian 14 years ago. His faith helped him forgive his abusive mother and leave behind his troubled past, including drug addiction. He credits his transformation and sobriety to his relationship with God.
Professional Refereeing Career
Ray has been a professional boxing and MMA referee since 1998, with over 890 boxing matches and 42 MMA fights. He is licensed by the state of California and works with the World Boxing Council (WBC). Despite a one-year suspension due to a personal mistake, he has had a successful career and is known for his fair and respectful approach.
Podcaster: Third Man in the Ring
Ray hosts a podcast called “Third Man in the Ring,” focusing on the perspectives of referees and judges in combat sports. He aims to give them a platform to explain their decisions and experiences, addressing common criticisms and misconceptions.
Drug Addiction and Recovery
Ray struggled with methamphetamine and cocaine addiction for 26 years. His turning point came when his wife and children left him due to his drug use. After a heartfelt prayer, he quit drugs cold turkey and has been sober for 15 years, attributing his recovery to divine intervention.
Ray Corona Quotes
On Respect and Gang Life:
– “As a gang member, I grew up with a lot of gang activity, you know, back then it was more, you will give me respect before I give respect. In those eras, I grew up in the 60s and 70s, part of the 80s and in the 90s, I was still involved. I just seen it, the respect has gone down, you know, there’s really no respect.”
On Forgiveness and Faith:
“I became a Christian 14 years ago. And in that time, my wife would always say, ‘Hey, you need to go see your mom. You’re a Christian now, you need to forgive her.’ Just when she was on her deathbed, I finally went to go see her… She whispered out to me, ‘I’m sorry. I was a bad mother.’”
On Drug Addiction and Recovery:
“I got on my knees and I said, you know what God, give me back my kids and my wife and I will never touch this again. As God is my witness, I never touched it after that. I went cold turkey. That’s 26 years of doing drugs.”
On Professional Refereeing:
“The best referee is a referee that you don’t see. If you tell me, ‘Hey, I didn’t even know you refereed that fight,’ that’s the best compliment you could’ve gave me.”
On His Podcast:
“I started a podcast, but from there I really want to go out and just, like yours, positive testimonies. I want to just put out their positive testimony, but the ground of it is a Christian podcast.”
Show Notes
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Ray Corona
Chris’s Burger
Located at Amar and Puente Avenue, this burger joint holds nostalgic value for Ray. He fondly remembers eating there frequently as a child and continues to visit it. He describes it as an old-style burger place with delicious offerings.
Taco Nazo
Situated at Valley Boulevard and the 605 Freeway, Taco Nazo is famous for its fish tacos. Ray mentions that it was rated the best fish tacos in Southern California and is a favorite spot for him.
South El Monte Boxing Gym
This gym is where Ray spent a lot of time training and sparring. He has many memories associated with this place, both tough and rewarding. The gym, run by 83-year-old trainer Ben Lira, holds a special place in his heart.
