Mobile Home | Desktop Version




No issues with fight ref

By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Jul 2025




Thomas Taylor will be the third man in the ring when Manny Pacquiao takes on WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, on July 19 and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said the other day he has no issues with the Newport Beach, California, referee despite a “little disagreement” when he worked Mark Magsayo’s fight against Brandon Figueroa two years ago.

“Taylor’s a very experienced referee who’s done a lot of big fights,” said Gibbons. “I did have a little disagreement with him in the Magsayo fight but overall, he’s a solid, good referee. I don’t see any issues with Manny or Barrios with his refereeing.” Gibbons referred to Magsayo’s loss on points to Figueroa when Taylor slapped a one-point deduction on Magnifico for holding in rounds eight and 11 in Ontario, California. Taylor ruled Figueroa’s cuts over the right eye in the fourth frame and over the left eye in the 10th were caused by accidental headbutts. Taylor was also the referee when Magsayo decisioned Eduardo Ramirez at MGM Grand last year.

Gibbons said judges Tim Cheatham of Nevada, Max DeLuca of New York and Steve Weisfeld of New Jersey are familiar with both Pacquiao and Barrios. “They’ve done some of Manny’s fights and some of Barrios’ fights,” he said. “No one’s completely gone one way or the other or have any red flags. They pretty much scored fights the way they went. Cheatham scored it for Manny over (Keith) Thurman, Weisfeld scored it for (Yordenis) Ugas over Manny.”

Cheatham also scored Pacquiao’s fight against Adrien Broner in 2019. Weisfeld was a judge in Pacquiao’s bouts against Ugas, Tim Bradley (third fight) and Juan Manuel Marquez (fourth fight). He had Pacquiao ahead, 47-46, when Marquez scored a KO in the sixth. DeLuca, who was WBC’s Judge of the Year in 2010 and whose father Dr. Mike was a ringside physician for over 20 years, has scored seven Barrios fights and only one with Pacquiao halting Emmanuel Lucero in Los Angeles in 2003.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • No issues with fight ref
    By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
    Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
    Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
    Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
    By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
    Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025