By Keith Idec
LAS VEGAS – Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao said Wednesday that they have no problem with the selection of Kenny Bayless as the referee for Pacquiao’s fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Saturday night.
Bayless has officiated two of Mayweather’s past three fights and four of his fights over the past eight years. Though commonly considered one of boxing’s best referees, Bayless has drawn criticism for being overly protective of Mayweather at times. He has been the referee for seven Pacquiao fights as well.
Roach isn’t concerned with how Bayless handle Mayweather-Pacquiao.
“Kenny’s been a good referee for a long time,” Roach said before a press conference at MGM Grand. “He’s always been a good guy to me. When I see him, I greet him. I’m just going to ask for a fair fight and I think we’ll get one. … I think he’s the best referee for the job.”
Pacquiao agreed.
“We have a good referee,” Pacquiao said, “so I’m not worried about that.”
If Bayless allows Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) to use his forearms and elbows, as Mayweather has done during most of his fights, Roach has prepared Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) on how to deal with it.
“He does that quite a bit and we’re ready for that,” Roach said. “If he does elbow Manny, Manny knows what to do with it. Believe me.”
Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
