In boxing, a referee (often called the ref for short) is the person who enforces the rules of boxing within the ring.
In the Punch-Out!! series, the referee's main job is to initiate the fight between the two boxers, and to begin counting when one of the boxers falls down. They will also declare who the winner is, either by knockout, technical knockout, or a split decision.
Mario acts as the referee in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, and subsequent re-releases of the game. In every other Punch-Out!! game, there is either a generic referee or no visible referee on-screen.
The referee carefully considers the winner in Punch-Out!! (Wii).
In the Wii game, the referee is more clearly seen than ever. He has a small mustache and is very considerate when he's deciding the winner. He also has trouble with controlling some of Mac's opponents who want to fight immediately. In fact, Aran Ryan, Bald Bull, and Super Macho Man actually attack the referee. He is also speculated to be the same referee from the arcade games.
It is some times speculated why the Referee does not dis-qualify some boxers, who are clearly cheating. As in the case of Aran Ryan, Great Tiger, Bear Hugger, King Hippo, Bald Bull, and Soda Popinski, as they use illegal moves and objects, as Aran Ryan has his rope glove, and King Hippo has the man hole, while Bald Bull does the Bull Charge, Bear Hugger uses a squirrel as a partner, and Soda Popinski uses his Soda as some kind of steroid, especially in Title Defense.
Quote
"Fight!"
"Come on, come on. Fight!"
"Let's go. Fight!"
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, NINE, TEN! Knockout!"
"Knockout!"
"TKO!" (when activating a special KO animation on an opponent's third KD)
"It's over, it's over. TKO!" (when the opponent falls normally on their third KD)