Kenny Bayless, the veteran boxing referee who has worked several of Floyd Mayweather’s fights, will not be assigned to Mayweather’s Aug. 26 bout against UFC champion Conor McGregor, the Los Angeles Times learned Monday.
Bob Bennett, executive director of the Nevada State Commission said Chairman Anthony Marnell III made the decision after learning of Bayless’ public comments critical of the novel Mayweather-McGregor bout being made.
McGregor said at his Friday media day that he didn’t believe Bayless should work the fight based on his comments.
“His views … he went public on what he thought the fight was,” McGregor told reporters. “He can’t be involved in the event.”
Bennett said Marnell had already made up his mind about Bayless before McGregor spoke.
“Conor McGregor had nothing to do with Kenny Bayless’ removal,” Bennett said.
The commission will decide Wednesday morning at its meeting who will serve as referee and judges for the bout, which could threaten the 2015 Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao bout as the most lucrative combat sports event in history.
Bayless worked that bout, along with Mayweather’s following September 2015 victory over Andre Berto. He also was the third man in the ring for Mayweather’s 2014 second fight against Marcos Maidana, and Mayweather’s 2013 triumph over Canelo Alvarez.
The contenders to work Mayweather-McGregor are believed to be Russell Mora, Robert Byrd and Tony Weeks.
CAPTION Conor McGregor takes questions about his upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. during media day at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Conor McGregor takes questions about his upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. during media day at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. CAPTION Conor McGregor takes questions about his upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. during media day at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Conor McGregor takes questions about his upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. during media day at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. CAPTION The Times' Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry break down the Rams' 13-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Their discussion includes Sean McVay's first game as coach, quarterback Jared Goff and the arrival of receiver Sammy Watkins from Buffalo. The Times' Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry break down the Rams' 13-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Their discussion includes Sean McVay's first game as coach, quarterback Jared Goff and the arrival of receiver Sammy Watkins from Buffalo. CAPTION Receiver Sammy Watkins, who the Rams acquired in a trade with the Bills earlier this week, arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday and watched the preseason game against the Cowboys from the sideline. Receiver Sammy Watkins, who the Rams acquired in a trade with the Bills earlier this week, arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday and watched the preseason game against the Cowboys from the sideline. CAPTION Unbeaten boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. drew a big crowd of reporters and photographers during a workout at his boxing club in Las Vegas. Unbeaten boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. drew a big crowd of reporters and photographers during a workout at his boxing club in Las Vegas. CAPTION Unbeaten boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. draws a big crowd of reporters and photographers during a workout attended by the media on Thursday in Las Vegas. Unbeaten boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. draws a big crowd of reporters and photographers during a workout attended by the media on Thursday in Las Vegas.
lance.pugmire@latimes.com
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