Santa Cruz-Ruiz: Bayless To Referee, Judges Named
by David P. Greisman
Kenny Bayless will be the referee for this Saturday’s 122-pound title bout between World Boxing Council beltholder Leo Santa Cruz and challenger Jesus Ruiz at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, aired on Showtime underneath the heavyweight title bout between Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder.
The Nevada Athletic Commission also unanimously approved Eric Cheek, Burt Clements and Dave Moretti as the judges.
Bayless has been in the ring for one of Santa Cruz’s fights, last year’s decision over Cristian Mijares, and has never worked a bout with Ruiz.
Cheek has worked one Santa Cruz bout (a 2009 win over Carlos Velardez). Clements has worked two (the Velardez bout and last year’s easy rout of Manuel Roman). Moretti has never worked a bout with Santa Cruz.
None of the judges has worked a bout with Ruiz, according to BoxRec.
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