Referee Kenny Bayless reflects on Manny Pacquiao's return and life in Las Vegas

Speaking from within one of his favorite restaurants on the East side of Las Vegas, Lindo Michoachan, referee Kenny Bayless comes across as just about as genuine of a guy as you can imagine. Originally hailing from Berkeley, California, Bayless has been involved in the sport of boxing since the late 70's while carving out a niche as perhaps the game's most sought after third man inside of the ring today.
Following his time in college Bayless would venture to Nevada and it was a move that completely altered his life. He remembers first assisting old school fighter Johnny Leeman during live fights just to get into events before participating in amateur judging and eventually learning the rigors of reffing from both Richard Steele an Mills Lane.

Asked about his early days in Las Vegas, Bayless vividly recalled going to shows at the Silver Slipper, Sahara and Showboat while also noting that Caesar's Palace played a huge role in the city's ultimate ascension. Among some of Bayless' most revered fights in the area include the June 1982 Larry Holmes-Gerry Cooney heavyweight title fight as well as seeing the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran square off with one another.

Las Vegas may have suffered somewhat of a dry spell for much of 2010 as the action was sparse from May until November but Bayless claims it is just a part of the sport.

"We have our highs and lows. You can look at it as a dry spell but it doesn't bother me because I've been around in boxing for over 30 years. It happens but it always bounces back," he stated. Sure enough, boxing has returned in heaps to the city with some of the sport's finest talents producing benchmark victories this year in Las Vegas.

Asked about what it was like when he landed his first official super fight and what the experience was like, Bayless said, "I did Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver but the super big one was when I did De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins. I had been a referee, and an amateur referee, for a very long time. To finally get my big fight I was thrilled and overwhelmed. But at the same time you have to keep your focus and do what you have to do."

Bayless is modest on nearly all fronts and is never one to side with one particular fighter or their camp. You can tell just how important it is for him to stay unbiased at all costs and in many ways that defines his role in the sport.

"To me I just try to keep a very low profile," he continued. "People always ask me my opinion but for the most part, I don't have an opinion."

The city of Las Vegas is currently in the midst of a busy schedule that just saw Nonito Donaire, Brandon Rios, and Miguel Cotto score triumphant knockouts while such bouts as the April 9th Marcos Maidana-Erik Morales face-off and the May 7th Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley encounter at the MGM Grand are generating steady buzz.

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