Referee says Manny has pick of lot

MANILA, Philippines - Referee Kenny Bayless, who worked Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas last May, said the other day Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sugar Shane Mosley are “worthwhile” opponents for the Filipino icon but regardless of whom he fights next, Pacman’s ability to adjust in the ring is what sets him apart from the rest.

“Manny’s ability to adjust to whatever an opponent brings is what I’m impressed by as he continues to develop,” said Bayless who became a professional boxing referee in 1991 after working the amateur ranks for 19 years. “His balance when throwing punches has also improved.”

Bayless, 58, said Pacquiao’s fighting style is unique but if he had to liken the Filipino to another fighter in terms of bravado, skills and punching power, it would be the legendary Mexican warrior Julio Cesar Chavez.

“Although Chavez didn’t have Manny’s lightning speed, he was a stand-up fighter with a lot of strength and durability,” noted Bayless.

Asked if any other Filipino fighter was as impressive, Bayless said, “Manny is really the first Filipino fighter I have had the pleasure to observe and follow.”

In all, Bayless has worked three Pacquiao fights – the rematches against Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez and the Hatton demolition. Some of his other monumental assignments were Bernard Hopkins vs Oscar de la Hoya, Mayweather vs De la Hoya, Roy Jones vs Antonio Tarver, Cotto vs Antonio Margarito, Mosley vs Fernando Vargas, and the Marco Antonio Barrera-Morales rubber match.

In 2007, Bayless worked Juanito Rubillar’s defense of the Oriental lightflyweight title against Byung Joo Lee at the San Andres Gym in Manila. He was in town for the WBC convention.

Bayless ranked Pacquiao’s second round disposal of Hatton as one of the 10 most exciting fights he has worked.

“I anticipated it would be tough to officiate because of the differences in style – Ricky is an aggressive fighter, always moving forward to attack, whereas Pacquiao is more tactical, a straight-up fighter who meets his opponent where he is.”

Before the fight, Bayless said he warned both fighters about clinching.

“In addition to all the normal instructions, I specifically talked to them about fighting in clinches or fighting with one arm behind held by the opponent,” he went on. “I told them both I would give them the opportunity to fight out first but if they didn’t, I would give the command to stop and I would break them up.”

Bayless expected the fight to last much longer than it did.

“I was surprised it was all over so quickly,” he said. “I expected Ricky to fight a more tactical fight. Floyd Mayweather Sr. was in his camp to work on defense.”

When Hatton fell flat on his back from a vicious left hook to the jaw, Bayless said the first thing that raced through his mind was whether the Hitman would recover from the knockdown.

“I got to him quickly and dropped to one knee to pick up the count,” said Bayless. “But Ricky was not making any attempt to get up. His eyes looked glassy and I knew it was over. I waved off the fight and removed Ricky’s mouthpiece and looked up to find the ring doctor. As it turned out, Hatton’s corner got to him before the doctor. I was concerned for him because of the length of time it took him to recover from the knockdown.”

Bayless said Pacquiao’s progress as a fighter has been remarkable.

“Manny has improved in every fight,” he said. “The way he fought Morales and Marquez was different from the way he fought Ricky. I was surprised at the pace of the (Hatton) fight and how quickly Pacquiao adjusted to Hatton’s attack.”

An All-American track star in the 400-meter relay at California State-Hayward, Bayless taught physical education and health at the William Orr Middle School for 29 years and was also a teacher at the Clark County juvenile detention facility. He is now retired from teaching. After moving to Las Vegas from California in 1972, Bayless worked eight years as an inspector with the Nevada State Athletic Commission before becoming a pro referee under the tutelage of Richard Green and Richard Steele.

In 2003, Bayless was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery the next year. He never took chemotherapy or radiation, preferring to practice a vegan lifestyle and leaving his fate to the Lord. It helped that his wife Lynora is a nutritionist. Now, Bayless is in complete remission.

“During the last five years, I’ve been living a dream,” he said. “The caliber of the bouts I’ve been assigned has fulfilled my desire to rise to the top of my profession. I am grateful to God, Keith Kizer and the Nevada State Athletic Commission. I will stay in the ring as long as I’m able to continue to do excellent work. Getting paid to do something you love enough to do for free is a gift.”