Boxing official
I believe the answer is:
'boxing official' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for ref that I've seen before include "A diminutive umpire in soccer or boxing" , "In brief, a soccer controller" , "Football official (colloq.)" , "Football's whistler" , "Sports official (abbrev.)" .)