International boxing referee Bruce McTavish joined his Creator on July 16, 2025 at the age of 84.
McTavish, a long-time resident of the Philippines, was born on October 11, 1940, in Auckland, New Zealand, and settled in Angeles City, Pampanga with wife Carmen Tayag. He became a Filipino citizen through naturalization in 2018.
An amateur boxer before his refereeing stint, McTavish had a record of 31 wins and 2 losses.
As a referee, he has officiated 150 title bouts outside the Philippines and New Zealand such as in Australia, China, England, Japan, North Korea, Mexico, Russia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, including some of the fights of comebacking champion Manny Pacquiao.
McTavish was the vice-chairman of the World Boxing Council of Referees, and was named World Boxing Council Referee of the Year in 2013, 2015, and 2017.
His wake will be held at the Divine Mercy Chapel in Carmenville Subdivision, Angeles City, starting Thursday, with the funeral scheduled on Sunday after the 7:30 am mass.