Kenny Bayless Apologizes for Phantom KO!

Manny Pacquiao knew he was pushed. Shane Mosley knew Pacquiao was pushed. The judges knew Pacquiao was pushed. Everyone at the MGM Grand knew Pacquiao was pushed. Everyone watching at home knew Pacquiao was pushed.

In fact there was only one person who didn't know Pacquiao was pushed.And that person happened to be Kenny Bayless, the referee.



Thus is recorded the sixth knockdown of Manny Pacquiao's career. It was a wrong call of a phantom knockdown in a lackluster bout dominated by Pacquiao.

And while Kenny Bayless' reputation as a referee may have taken a hit, he proved that he's still a topnotch person by apologizing immediately to Pacquiao's corner for his mistake.

The phantom knockdown occurred in the 10th round, a round Pacquiao was dominating Mosley. After getting caught up in a cinch, Mosley pushed out with his right arm, causing Pacquiao to tumble back. Pacquiao immediately stood up and could only laugh in disbelief as Beyless gave him a standing 8-count. Pacquiao then spent the rest of the round running after Mosley, who seemed to think he was in a marathon and not a boxing match.

Usually, when a fighter is knocked down, the score for that round become 10-9 against him. So laughable was Bayless' decision that one judge still ruled the round 10-9, in Pacquiao's favor.

Still, the man owned up to his mistake. Nothing more you can ask of him.

More of this story here.