I believe that Kenny Bayless is absolutely one of the best referees within boxing today.
He’s always had a sharp eye for the action and hasn’t made any of the blunders that we’ve seen other well-known referees make in some notable Las Vegas prize fights.
I’ll always thank Mr. Bayless for having made the correct call in the Hopkins-De la Hoya fight back in 2004 ruling the body shot that as a legal punch leading to the stoppage. In this day and age, I would suspect that numerous referees might look to protect the “star” while ruling the body shot as an illegal low blow.
For those of you that don’t know… that moment was the moment in which “The Boxing Bookie” moniker was created.
Back to Kenny’s potentially huge impact on the Mayweather-Mosley clash we have upon us this Saturday.
There is no fighter in the world today that could be considered “perfect” in every aspect. Regardless of the high level of skill floating around within the sweet science today, everyone has flaws… even the pound-for-pound kingpins Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The flaw that I’m referring to in regards to the “Pretty Boy” is his illegal usage of the forearm and elbows. It’s a horrible habit that he’s developed over the years in order to engage at a distance and create the space that Michigan-native feels most comfortable at.
Back in April of 2002, Mayweather would be deducted a point for this tactic in his first bout against Jose Luis Castillo. It would occur in the 10th round of their affair and Floyd would then be forced to adjust by fighting in extremely close quarters.
So this is flaw number one in the fight… how quick will Kenny Bayless be to potentially warn and possibly deduct a point for this illegal tactic?
Floyd has continued to use this tactic over the course of his career to control distance and it will be no different in the Mosley fight.
If Bayless is quick to point out this flaw, it could severely alter the distance of where this bout is fought especially early.
Now for the second flaw…
95 clinches would be considered excessive by anybody that understands the sweet science…
This is the number of times Shane Mosley initiated clinching when he fought Miguel Cotto back in 2007. Clinching is technically illegal in boxing and it’s one of the main reason many boxing fans are rejoicing at the fact John Ruiz recently announced his retirement from the sport.
For some reason, in this era of boxing referees seem to either look the other way when it comes to excessive clinching or consistently issue warnings without any repercussions.
Boxing is not in a better place because of it.
The only example I can recall in which Bayless failed to take control of the fight when it came to clinching was the horrid affair between Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi.
Hopefully we’ll see a fight on Saturday in which both men showcase clean effective punching and display exactly why boxing is the most dramatic form of sports entertainment on the planet.
