Referee awed by Manny's ability to adjust fast

LAS VEGAS – Kenny Bayless said Manny Pacquiao’s ability to make adjustments was what impressed him most in the Filipino icon’s second round technical knockout win over Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here Saturday night.

“I’ve worked two Pacquiao fights before, his rematches against Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez and Hatton’s bout against Paul Malignaggi,” said Bayless who became a professional boxing referee in 1991. “Manny has improved in every fight. The way he fought Morales and Marquez was different from the way he fought Hatton.”

Bayless said in the first round, Hatton came out smoking, trying to bull his way through Pacquiao’s defense. But Manny wasn’t fazed. He adjusted to neutralize Hatton’s aggressiveness then floored the Hitman twice – first with a right hook – before the bell ran. In the second round, Hatton did the same thing. This time, Pacquiao used the left to finish off the game Britisher.

“This had to be one of the 10 most exciting fights I’ve worked,” said Bayless. “Manny’s second fight against Morales ranks up there in the top three. The third Morales-Marco Antonio Barrera fight was another highlight, definitely a top tenner.”

Another monumental bout he worked was Bernard Hopkins’ stoppage of Oscar de la Hoya.

“No doubt, Manny gets better and better,” said Bayless. “Before the fight, I told the guys I wouldn’t allow hitting on the break They could box out of a clinch but not hold. During the fight, they clinched so hard and that’s why I had to step in. I had to break them up. Neither fighter gave me any trouble.”

Bayless’ wife Lenora, a nutritionist, and his twin brother Kermit, a California boxing judge, accompanied the referee in walking out of the stadium.

“It’s an honor to work a fight involving someone like Manny,” he said. “I’m grateful to the Nevada State Athletic Commission for the assignment, trust and confidence. I always try to do my best and be fair.”

Bayless, 58, is highly respected in boxing circles. In 19 years of amateur officiating, he received four Referee of the Year awards and countless commendations. Bayless has now worked over 30 world title bouts. He worked over 300 amateur bouts.

Bayless’ inspiring story of recovering from prostate cancer surgery is well-documented as is his rise from being an All-American track star in the 400-meter relay at California State-Hayward. Bayless taught physical education and health at the William Orr Middle School for 29 years and was also a teacher at the Clark County juvenile detention facility.

 Bayless, who moved to Las Vegas in 1972, worked eight years as an inspector with the Nevada State Athletic Commission before becoming a referee under the tutelage of Richard Green and Richard Steele.

Bayless had been married over 25 years and his three sons James, Ryan and Alex are now grown up. All were collegiate athletes.

“I’m blessed in so many ways,” said Bayless, quoted by Robert Mladinich in Boxing 2005 Magazine.

“I have a great family and am doing with my life exactly what I want to be doing. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I admit I was numb. There is no history of cancer in my family and I always watched what I ate and stayed active. It brought me to tears in ways you couldn’t imagine. Not a day goes by that I don’t wake up and thank God for being so good to me.”