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Former Paterson Councilman, Legendary Boxing Referee Ed Cotton Dies at 72 of COVID-19

Ed Cotton
Ed Cotton

Even before Eddie Cotton officiated the Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis fight in 2002 in Memphis, Tennessee, he was legend in Paterson, New Jersey.

Cotton, who served as the first black president of the Paterson City Council, died early this morning at the age of 72.  He had been hospitalized for more than a week after contracting the coronavirus.

Paterson public historian Jimmy Richardson says Cotton was extremely popular in town.

"We grew up on the same street, Governor Street, and remained friends since the early 1970's.  We had a lot of things in common.  Ed Cotton was one of the most popular men in the City of Paterson. He was a great sportsman and a great friend of the people."

Cotton's wife Ruby is a current councilwoman. 

Cotton supported Andre Sayegh's run for mayor in 2018.  Richardson says Cotton was most recently a consultant on Mayor Sayegh's team.

Ed Cotton
Credit WBGO
Ed Cotton and SportsJam host Doug Doyle get together in the WBGO studios in 2013

In May of 2013, Eddie Cotton was a guest on SportsJam with Doug Doyle and candidly talked about the Lewis-Tyson bout, which is still considered a controversial boxing match by some analysts.  Richardson says Cotton's referee career began in Paterson.

"Cotton got his start in the boxing ring at one of the last matches at Hinchlifee Stadium, which was an all sports arena at that time.  He did it through Golden Gloves."

Click above to hear that show now posted to honor the boxing referee and public servant.

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Doug Doyle has been News Director at WBGO since 1998 and has taken his department to new heights in coverage and recognition. Doug and his staff have received more than 250 awards from organizations like PRNDI (now PMJA), AP, New York Association of Black Journalists, Garden State Association of Black Journalists and the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.