The referee for one of the most anticipated bouts in boxing history will earn 0.01% of the fighters’ pay on the night.
For any sane person, $10,000 (€9,483) for little over an hour’s work would be considered an excessively handsomely paid job. However, for the referee of the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight, it seems to be a little on the low side.
Mayweather is set to earn a whopping €113 million while Pacquiao is expected to get paid the more modest sum of €74 million for the bout. This means that the yet to be announced referee’s payday will be considered pocket change compared to that of the prizefighters.
Considering that whoever gets the nod to officiate the fight will be reffing the most important fight of their career, it seems a little unfair that they won’t better reimbursed for their services.
Joe Cortez, who retired from refereeing pro boxing bouts in 2012, reckons that one mistake could potentially ruin an official’s futue int he sport.
“No room for error. Any referee or judge who is on the wrong side of this fight will be criticized. It could be the end of the official’s career. Honestly, that could be it.”
The Nevada State Athletic Commission expected to name the official in charge, and the three judges sitting ringside, at some stage this week. Kenny Bayless and Tony Weeks are considered to be the frontrunners to handle the contest.
Hat-tip to the Telegraph
