Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao: Who is the referee Kenny Bayless?

The 64-year-old will receive £16,500 for his night's work

James Orr
Saturday 02 May 2015 22:12 EDT
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Floyd Mayweather Jr complained that Marcos Maidana bit him as referee Kenny Bayless examines his glove
Floyd Mayweather Jr complained that Marcos Maidana bit him as referee Kenny Bayless examines his glove (REUTERS/Steve Marcus )

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The man tasked with refereeing the richest fight in boxing history on Saturday night, when Floyd Mayweather faces Manny Pacquiao in a $300m super-fight, will be Las Vegas native Kenny Bayless.

Bayless, 64, will receive more than double the normal purse for the fight - £16,500. It is the richest fight in boxing history after all...

Bayless's catchphrase is "what I say you must obey"

He has taken charge of four previous Mayweather fights, and seven previous Pacquiao bouts.

Bayless was memorably in charge for Pacquiao's two-round demolition of Ricky Hatton in 2009.

The welterweight clash, which has been six years in the making, will be most lucrative fight in boxing history, with the combined purse for the bout expected to top $300m (£201m).

Pacquiao will be defending his WBO welterweight title, and aiming to win Mayweather's WBC and WBA welterweight titles.

Unbeaten Mayweather, 38, is an 11-time, five-weight world champion, while the Filipino Pacquiao, 36, has won versions of the world title at a record eight different weights.

Mayweather's record stands at 47-0, while Pacquiao has lost five of his 64 fights, with two draws.

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