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MANILA, Philippines – Veteran referee Robert Byrd, who was slated to oversee the rubber match between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr on April 9 (April 10 in PH), withdrew from his assignment due to an undisclosed medical condition.
Las Vegas Review Journal first reported the sudden pullout of Byrd, who refused to elaborate on what exactly is ailing him.
“It’s nothing serious. But if I can’t be 100 percent for those two guys, I shouldn’t be in the ring,” said Byrd, who was the referee in the first meeting between Pacquiao and Bradley.
Tony Weeks will serve as Byrd’s replacement to preside over the third encounter between Pacquiao and Bradley, which takes place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to the same report, neither camp objected when the Nevada State Athletic Commission handed the duty to Weeks.
Weeks has handled 570 professional fights and officiated Pacquiao’s blockbuster showdown against Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008.
Weeks was also the referee when Bradley thwarted Brandon Rios in the ninth round last November.
The judges for the Pacquiao-Bradley encounter remain the same as Dave Moretti, Burt Clements and Steve Weisfeld are tasked to score the bout per round. – Rappler.com
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