Bayless: Safety is my priority

MANILA, Philippines - Referee Kenny Bayless has said he entertained no notion of allowing the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight to go the distance as a way to show respect for the defending WBO welterweight champion and stepped in at 0:55 of the 12th round to halt the carnage because the Puerto Rican was “beat up pretty good (and) his safety comes first.”

Bayless, who has worked over 30 world title fights and is considered one of the best in the business, didn’t hesitate to wave it off when Pacquiao pinned Cotto against the ropes and attacked relentlessly.

“When Pacquiao started to throw combination punches to the head, I was ready to stop the fight,” Bayless told The STAR. “I was seriously thinking of stopping the fight sooner but Cotto decide to move and stay away from Pacquiao.”

Although it was reported that Cotto’s trainer Joe Santiago suggested to surrender in between rounds, Bayless denied any discussion with the champion’s corner.

“I never heard any discussion from the corner about stopping the fight,” he said.

Santiago supposedly advised Cotto to give up before the 11th round but the Puerto Rican refused. Even as Cotto looked like a beaten man as early as the seventh round when he began to run, he had no intention to quit and wanted to last the full route.

But when Bayless saw Cotto almost defenseless and Pacquiao not easing the pressure, he decided to call it a night. Nobody from Cotto’s camp protested the decision.

Bayless said before the fight, he visited the protagonists in their dressing rooms for last-minute instructions. He described the visit as “routine.” Earlier, Bayless mentioned he would tell both fighters to obey his commands at all times and keep the fight clean at all times.

“I’ll cover the rules as stated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and give both camps and fighters the chance to express their own personal concerns,” he said. “Freddie (Roach) made a comment about low blows and that’s all.”

Roach previously pointed out that Cotto has a tendency to resort to low blows when he’s hurt to stymie his opponent’s momentum. He said to watch for low blows to the groin and the legs. Roach said the referee should immediately disqualify Cotto if he commits a deliberate foul.

As it turned out, Bayless said “both fighters did a great job fighting clean - I gave Cotto a couple of light warnings for low blows (but) that’s all.”

Bayless said the atmosphere at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was electric with the fans immersed in the action. Despite the roar of the crowd, he said he kept his focus.

“You can’t ignore the sound of the crowd (which was) loud (but) I’ve learned how to keep my concentration and not be distracted,” he said. “My focus is on the two fighters - the sound of the crowd will always be there.”

On the frenetic pace of the fight, Bayless said it was no problem keeping in step with Pacquiao and Cotto. During his school days at California State-Hayward, Bayless was an All-America track star in the 400-meter relay. And he taught physical education and health for 29 years at William Orr Middle School. Bayless, 58, knows how to stay in shape, particularly as his wife Lynora is a nutritionist.

“It wasn’t difficult for me to keep up with Manny,” said Bayless, a prostate cancer survivor. “I’m in great condition.”

Bayless said working Pacquiao’s fights against Cotto and Ricky Hatton and Cotto’s fight against Antonio Margarito was an unforgettable experience as a referee.

“All three of those fights that I refereed were great,” he said. “It’s hard to say which one was the most exciting (because) they all were.”

Bayless said he noticed a difference in the way Cotto fought Pacquiao and Margarito.

“Cotto stood in the middle of the ring against Pacquiao (while) he had more foot movement trying to stay away from Margarito,” observed Bayless who worked as an inspector for the NSAC before becoming a professional referee in 1991.