Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Odds Referee Kenny Bayless Calls Disqualification

A disqualification couldn’t end Mayweather vs. Pacquiao just like Tyson vs. Holyfield, could it? Veteran Kenny Bayless has been named the referee for the big fight.

When Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. meet May 2 at MGM Grand Stadium, most expect the fight to be decided by scorecards. Odds of the fight going the distance currently sit at -303 while odds the fight ends in a knockout sit at +600 for Mayweather and +500 for Pacquiao.

Sports Interaction Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Odds and Analysis 

But when it comes to the fight ending in a disqualification, the odds currently sit at +1000. Of course, it’s definitely unlikely, but it may not be so far-fetched when you look deeper.

Bayless has worked a bunch of Mayweather and Pacquiao fights and took some heat when he was in the middle of Mayweather and Marcos Maidana last year. Mayweather alleges Maidana bit his thumb during the fight and Bayless just issued a warning. Bayless did take a point away from Maidana for an elbow later but the ref will be under the microscope to make sure this megafight is clean. He has taken some heat before.

“To be honest, I thought Kenny Bayless was very lenient for not warning or taking points away from Mayweather for way too much holding on the inside,” ESPN boxing analyst Teddy Atlas told reporters after the Mayweather vs. Maidana fight. “If it were any other fighter than Floyd Mayweather, he would have warned him more or even taken points away.”

Meanwhile, some fighters already think Bayless’ appointment gives Floyd Mayweather an advantage.

“I think it favors Mayweather, absolutely,” De La Hoya told Yahoo Sports. “There is no secret about that. I had heard was Kenny Bayless going to be the referee and that’s one point for Mayweather right there. If you notice every fight Mayweather has had with Kenny Bayless, the referee should break them up if both hands are tied up and they’re not throwing punches.

“If you notice, for instance with Maidana, when they got in close, right away Kenny Bayless would break them up. One hand would be free from the clinch but [he still broke them up]. It’s an advantage for Mayweather.”

Mayweather is a -200 outright favorite in the fight.