Guy Jutras obit

Guy Jutras

March 22, 1931 - April 3, 2026

 

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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of a beloved husband, father, grandfather and respected member of the community at the age of 95.

He is survived by his devoted, Helen, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and partnership.

He leaves behind his son Anthony (wife Debbie and grandchildren, Danielle and Nicole)

And his daughter Diane and her husband Mark.

A successful businessman, he built a legacy not only by hard work and integrity, but by the respect he earned form colleagues and friends alike.

Beyond his professional life, he was deeply passionate about the sport of boxing.

He was an undefeated professional boxer and had his career cut short by injury however he transitioned into becoming an accomplished judge and referee in which he judged or refereed over 70 world title fights.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the sport, he was inducted into the World boxing Hall of fame in 2019.

He will be remembered for his strength of character, his wisdom and dedication to his family.

His legacy lives on in the lives he touched so deeply.

Guy Joseph Jutras was born on March 22, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Jutras, who grew up without a father in Montreal's east end, was known for his street fighting. He found discipline in Montreal's amateur boxing scene before joining the Royal Canadian Navy.

Beginning in 1969, Jutras started his career as a pro referee. His first official event involved refereeing a fight with Donato Paduano. At the Montreal Forum in 1978, he refereed his first Canadian title fight between lightweights Gaétan Hart and Cleveland Denny. The World Boxing Association recruited Jutras to referee at the professional level in 1979. After being scouted by a WBA member and invited to seminars, he officiated a bout and impressed enough officials to gain clearance from the committee.

Jutras earned a reputation as a fighter's referee, someone who stayed out of the way and let the boxers determine the outcome. He drew criticism from Montreal fans when he stopped the 1980 Gaétan Hart–Ralph Racine bout in the 11th round. His decision proved sound moments later when Racine collapsed and was rushed to hospital for emergency brain surgery.

Jutras refereed the controversial Eusebio Pedroza–Juan Laporte featherweight title bout in Atlantic City on January 24, 1982. The New Jersey State Athletic Commission attempted to reverse Pedroza's decision win afterward, stating the referee should have disqualified him for repeated fouls. Justras received a six-month suspension. He was later exonerated at a WBA hearing.

The Montrealer traveled to London, England, to serve as the referee of Frank Bruno vs. Gerrie Coetzee at Wembley Stadium in 1987.

Following his retirement from refereeing at age 67, he continued working as a judge for the WBA.

His judging career spanned from 1980 to 2011. In November 1982, he served as a judge for the bout between Fulgencio Obelmejias and Marvin Hagler in Italy. Jutras was originally appointed referee by the WBA for the November 1983 Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs. Roberto Duran middleweight title fight in Las Vegas but was replaced and served instead as one of the judges. His judging resume also includes world championship fights such as Wilfredo Gómez vs. Rocky Lockridge (1985), Barry McGuigan vs. Steve Cruz (1986), Vinny Paz vs. Gilbert Dele (1991), Pernell Whitaker vs. Julio César Vásquez (1995), Paulie Ayala vs. Johnny Tapia I (1999), and Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Manny Pacquiao (2004).

Jutras combined his media work as a television commentator and radio host (1997–2009) with his role as co-founder and assistant matchmaker for Interbox Promotions (1997–2002). Interbox was a boxing promotion company that organized events in both Montreal and the United States.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on April 14th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Kane & Fetterly Funeral Home, located at 5301 Décarie Blvd, Montreal.