Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Rumours on Purse Payout and Referee Contenders

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is expected to earn $119.8 million (£82 million) from his May 2 super-fight against Manny Pacquiao, who will pick up $79.6 million (£54.5 million), according to Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph.

The encounter is expected to gross $400 million (£273 million) with the referee earning $10,000 (£6,800) for one night's work.

Experienced shot-callers Kenny Bayless and Tony Weeks are currently the favourites to land such a defining bout, with Robert Byrd, Jay Nady, Russel Mora and Vic Drakulich also being considered, according to Davies.

John Locher/Associated Press

Both Bayless and Weeks officiated one of Mayweather's matches against Marcos Maidana. Bayless admits his objective "was to not let them get tied up," reported by Lem Satterfield of RingTV.com.

Consciousness of this always threatens to go against Mayweather, who regularly uses clinches to deter danger, undoubtedly a key method of defence against Pacquiao's body shots. Many will expect Pac-Man to try and set an early pace with a range of hard shots.

ESPN's Steve Bunce previously said Weeks "has the guts for the big decision in the big fight." He stepped in to save Alfredo Angulo from an unnecessary beatdown during last year's encounter with Saul Alvarez. This decision may have upset many onlookers, but it was the correct call in a one-sided battle.

Eric Jamison/Associated Press

Nobody wants to see Mayweather vs. Pacquiao ended early, but appropriate officiating is needed. Trainer Freddie Roach, who is preparing Pacquiao for the showdown, wants a fair fight above all. His comments were reported by Davies:

"

I know all of the referees, I know the good ones, I know the great ones. I think they all respect me and Manny enough to give us a fair fight. That’s all I’m asking for. Whoever refs the fight, all I’m asking is please, give us a fair fight, and let the best man win, and I think they’ll do that.

"

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Former referee Joe Cortez says the referee has "no room for error," per Davies: "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."

A decision on the referee and judging panel will be made in the "coming week," according to Davies. The Las Vegas fight is merely weeks away, and like the fighters, the man in charge will need ample time to prepare for the biggest battle in their career.

It's always disappointing to see the referee become the fight's defining man, so like the official's reported earnings, onlookers will want him to remain a secondary headline behind the two brawlers.