No questions asked: Bayless 3rd man on ring

LAS VEGAS – Kenny Bayless was the hands-down choice to be the third man on the ring for Saturday’s big rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley.

Everybody seems to agree that the 64-year-old Bayless is the best referee in boxing today.

Top Rank chief Bob Arum said when the Nevada State Athletic Commission came up with the list of candidates both camps were informed.

They had a voice in the selection of the ring officials – from the referee to the three judges.

None of the three judges that worked the first fight in June 2012 will be around on Saturday. For the rematch, Glenn Townbridge, Michael Pernick and Craig Metcalf will be on hand.

And of course, Kenny Bayless.

“They were sent the list and they eliminated some of the referees,” said Arum.

“But they asked me to tell the chairman that they both want Kenny Bayless as the referee. Both camps,” he added of the 64-year-old referee.

When Pacquiao and Bradley met for the first time, it was Robert Byrd at the center of the ring.

Bayless had refereed some of boxing’s biggest fights, including the 2007 showdown between Oscar dela Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. and the third meeting between Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera in 2004.

The referee from Nevada has worked a handful Pacquiao fights, including those against Eric Morales, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and twice against Juan Manuel Marquez, including the one that ended in a stunning knockout.

Bayless is not only good. He is the best out there.

“Kenny Bayless is the best referee in the world. Tony Weeks is very good also but if you have to pick one,” said Arum.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, is also good with Bayless and the judges as well.

“I don’t have any problem with the referee and the judges. Kenny Bayless is the top referee in the world right now,” said Roach.

His counterpart, Joel Diaz, also couldn’t ask for more.

“All I ask is for them to be fair,” said Diaz.

“If Manny Pacquiao wins give him the win.