LAS VEGAS—The third man in the ring on Saturday night has been in more big fights than Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao put together.
The three judges for the richest bout in boxing history also have made hundreds of big decisions during lengthy careers at ringside.
The Nevada Athletic Commission went with proven veterans when it assigned these four men to the highest-profile show in several years in boxing’s capital city.
Kenny Bayless is the most respected referee in boxing, with two decades of title fight experience and a reputation for fairness.
The bout will be judged by three prominent names as well: Dave Moretti, Glenn Feldman and Burt Clements have all been in the business for more than 20 years, and none has a consistent history of head-scratching decisions.
Some fans and commentators have suggested Bayless’ style could favor Mayweather. And Clements once made a scoring error that cost Pacquiao a decision.
READ: Referee Kenny Bayless warned: Watch Mayweather elbow
But Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach is confident the officials won’t be the story at the MGM Grand Garden.
“I think we have a great referee,” Roach said. “I think we have some good judges, people that I’m familiar with my whole life. I think they’ll give us a fair call, and I trust this will happen.”
Bayless has been refereeing professional bouts in Las Vegas since 1991. The 64-year-old grandfather with a master’s degree in education administration from UNLV has far more admirers than detractors.
Bayless was in the ring for the two biggest pay-per-view cards in boxing before this bout—Mayweather’s wins over Oscar De La Hoya in 2007 and Canelo Alvarez in 2013. He has officiated five of Mayweather’s previous fights and seven featuring Pacquiao.
“When he was learning to be a ref, I used to let him around my young fighters,” Roach said. “He’s always been fair to me, and I expect a fair fight. He’s the best referee for the job.” AP