Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV: Kenny Bayless selected as referee

Kenny Bayless has been selected as the referee for the fourth fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez on December 8. Bayless is widely regarded as one of the top officials in the sport, and has already been the third man in the ring for these two as he got the assignment for their second fight as well.

This is certainly good news. Bayless is deserving of his status as one of the top referees in boxing, and I feel confident he will do a great job. Personally, I would likely rank him as my favorite. My top three tends to consist of him, Tony Weeks, and Steve Smoger. Those guys are rarely caught off guard, and always seem to be in the right place at the right time. I would also recommend Robert Byrd as another top ref.

For the record, Bayless actually did make a goof the last time he officiated a Pacquiao fight. He counted a slip as a knockdown in the 10th round of Pacquiao's fight with Shane Mosley. It was Pacquiao's first official knockdown since his first bout with Marco Antonio Barrera (which was also a slip, incidentally). In a moment of fresh relief, Bayless actually owned up to it after the fight, admitting that he made a mistake. Imagine that, Joe Cortez (You may be retired, but people don't forget!).