Kenny Bayless interview: The best fight I ever reffed was Pacquiao vs Hatton

I was at this fight. Heard the punch that put Hatton away from the $300 seats. Lethal - I honestly thought Hatton was dead and the girl I was with screamed her head off!

Crowd were going ballistic!

 

She's asking him some dumb questions. He's a referee; he can't come out and say such and such is my favorite or he wouldn't be allowed to ref any of their matches. And he can't predict a winner of Mayweather/Pacquiao or he wouldn't be allowed to ref that fight either.

 

Kenny Bayless is cool.

 

‘Over the top’: Referee Kenny Bayless speaks on his trip to Texas and his time officiating Pacquiao

20 March 2010


Chris Robinson


At the moment it is hard to think of a referee as respected or well known as Kenny Bayless. Bayless remembers becoming interested in the sport after seeing Muhammad Ali when he was featured on the Wide World of Sports yet never could have imagined the fashion in which he would parlay that curiosity into something much more profound.

One of three siblings growing up in Berkeley, California, Bayless would make the move to Las Vegas following college and was introduced to the sport on a first hand basis. From there Bayless claims that watching Ali live and seeing Roberto Duran work out in person was all he needed to become hooked on the sweet science.

Bayless first helped assist old school fighter Johnny Leeman in any way he could during live fights and found himself getting fighters their gloves and grabbing spit buckets just so he could get access into the events. Bayless later began participating in amateur judging before professional judge Jerry Roth suggested that he try out to be a referee and despite his initial reluctance he soon gave it a chance.

Bayless learned much from the likes of Richard Steele and Mills Lane and later found himself as a part of the Athletic Commission when his good friend Leeman retired. From that point forward Bayless’ chief focus was to constantly hone his skills in the sport and he soon found himself becoming involved in some of Las Vegas’ biggest showcases.

Over the years Bayless has refereed such notable fights as Roy Jones-Antonio Tarver, Bernard Hopkins-Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley-Fernando Vargas, as well as key battles featuring several other stars in the sport. This past weekend Bayless found himself venturing East towards Dallas, Texas as a principal figure in the heavily anticipated Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey card. When reflecting on the experience Bayless admits that it was a first in his book.

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After he was done officiating the Robert Marroquin-Samuel Sanchez and Alfonso Gomez-Jose Luis Castillo bouts, Bayless stuck around to check out the Pacquiao-Clottey encounter. In recent years Bayless has gotten to know Pacquiao on a first hand basis, as he officiated the Filipino’s second encounters with Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez as well as his battles against Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. Bayless remembers being instantly impressed by Pacquiao.

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In March of 2008 Pacquiao produced one of the year’s most riveting battles when he went toe to toe with Marquez for a second time in the Valley. Bayless again had the assignment and simply shakes his head when looking back at their encounter as well as the recent years of Pacquiao's career.

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It’s hard to recall a contest with an atmosphere as lively as Pacquiao-Hatton, which was full of screaming fans for both participants inside of the MGM Grand. In all of his years in the sport, Bayless has never comes across anything like it.

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Bayless insists that for any high-profile event he must prepare himself days in advance just as if he was a fighter heading into battle. Despite its ruthless nature the sport of boxing can be a delicate in several areas and Bayless must always be in top form.

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This past November Bayless found himself right in the thick of Pacquiao’s challenge of Miguel Cotto’s WBO Welterweight strap, as he was the third man in the ring. The contest had its share of momentum shifts early but Pacquiao took complete control over the second half of the fight. As the fight reached the championship rounds Bayless was simply looking for an opportunity to make the right call while still trying to be fair to all parties involved.

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Whether dictating the flow of a huge event or officiating a smaller show, Bayless notes that he must always be on top of his game. While the process is gratifying on many fronts Bayless seems to speak as though his job is definitely taxing.

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While he wasn’t refereeing Pacquiao’s showdown with Clottey he was still able to take in the contest on a first hand basis. While many have been criticizing the bout, and Clottey in particular, Bayless feels that it’s up to the fighter to determine what they feel is best for them inside of the ropes.

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When touching on Pacquiao’s impact within the sport Bayless feels that he is the star boxing has been looking for in the mold of Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya over years’ past. When asked one last question as to his thoughts on a possible Pacquiao showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Bayless can’t take any sides yet seems to recognize the bout’s importance.

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If you're paid as he was for a 7-minute work like that, you'd also say it's the best fight you have ever officiated.

 

Anyone know how much he usually gets paid for a big week?

 

Seems like a really cool dude, RESPECT!

 

That mu****a must clearly mean the easiest fight he ever reffed.

 

Great read.

 

Kenny Bayless is the best in the business.

Respect.