Kenny Bayless and Tony Weeks have emerged as the frontrunners from six possible referees. It will be the most important fight in the career of ‘the third man in the ring’ with the Nevada State Athletic Commission expected to name the official in charge, and the three judges sitting ringside, in the coming week. Apart from Bayless and Weeks, Robert Byrd, Jay Nady, Russel Mora and Vic Drakulich are also in the running to get the assignment. In Mayweather's last ten fights at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Bayless has refereed four of them and six of Pacquiao's last ten fights in Nevada.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission will want a referee whose style fits with both fighters. Pacquiao likes a free-flowing, open fight; Mayweather does not mind being in the centre of the ring, or on the ropes, clinching. Freddie Roach, trainer of Manny Pacquiao, has voiced his concerns over who will get the assignment to referee on May 2. “I know all of the referees, I know the good ones, I know the great ones,” Roach said recently. “I think they all respect me and Manny enough to give us a fair fight. That’s all I’m asking for. Whoever refs the fight, all I’m asking is please, give us a fair fight, and let the best man win, and I think they’ll do that.”
The greatest refereeing controversies in previous Mayweather fights were officiated by Joe Cortez, who retired in 2012. Cortez warned in a recent ESPN podcast that the referee must be at their best because the world will be watching their every move.
"No room for error," said Cortez. "Any referee or judge who is on the wrong side of this fight will be criticized. It could be the end of the official's career. Honestly, that could be it."
Referees for Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao's last ten fights in Las Vegas:
Floyd Mayweather Jr:
Opponent Referee
Marcos Maidana - Kenny Bayless
Marcos Maidana - Tony Weeks
Saul Alvarez - Bayless
Robert Guerrerro - Robert Byrd
Miguel Cotto - Weeks
Victor Ortiz - Joe Cortez
Shane Mosley - Bayless
Juan Manuel Marquez - Weeks
Ricky Hatton - Cortez
Oscar De La Hoya - Bayless
Manny (PACMAN) Pacquiao:
Opponent - Referee
Timothy Bradley - Kenny Bayless
Juan Manuel Marquez - Bayless
Timothy Bradley - Robert Byrd
Juan Manuel Marquez - Tony weeks
Shane Mosley - Bayless
Miguel Cotto - Bayless
Ricky Hatton - Bayless
Oscar De La Hoya - Weeks
David Diaz - Vic Drakulich
Juan Manuel Marquez Bayless
