Internationally respected referee Bruce McTavish, a New Zealander who has lived in the Philippines for over 40 years and is on the verge of being granted Philippine citizenship by Congress thinks the Nevada State Athletic Commission will pick Kenny Bayless to referee the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr ?Battle for Greatness? at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 3, Manila Time.
McTavish who regularly gives seminars on refereeing at the WBC Annual Conventions said ?I think Bayless will get it. He?s the most experienced and he?s done fights of Pacquiao as well as Mayweather before.
However, he said Tony Weeks, the other leading contender ?is also an excellent referee. He is c alm and handles himself very well.?
Other referees being considered are Vic Drakulich, Robert Byrd, Jay Nady and Russel Mora.
McTavish said he doesn?t think whoever is chosen would be under a lot of pressure pointing out that Las Vegas referees ?are experienced and have done many big fights but this will be a tough assignment. I think they will be very competent.?
Whoever is chosen to referee the fight will earn $10,000 in a mega-buck encounter that will earn around $400 million with both Mayweather and Pacquiao enjoying huge paydays.
Pacquiao?s Hall of Fame trainer had earlier pleaded for a referee who will preside over a fair fight for both boxers.
ABS-CBN reporter Dyan Castillejo quoted Roach who said ?I know all the referees. I know the good ones and I know the great ones. I think they all respect me and Manny enough to give us a fair fight. That?s all that I?m asking for. Whoever referees 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.?
Bayless has shown a tendency to step in and stop the action which hurts the aggressive fighter while Tony Weeks, as showed in the first Mayweather-Maidana fight allows a fair amount of leeway which would perhaps be more favorable to Pacquiao.
