Seasoned referee 3rd man in Pacquiao-Algieri bout

MACAU – A seasoned referee in Genaro Rodriguez will be the third man in the ring when Manny Pacquiao defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Chris Algieri Sunday at the Cotai Arena inside The Venetian Macao here.

WBO president Francisco Valcarcel announced the appointment and identified all three American judges in Michael Pernick, Levi Martinez and Patrick Morley while naming himself as the supervisor of this crucial fight that will net Pacquiao $23 million and a chance to regain the elite status he used to have.

A native of Chicago who has a handful of notable fights under his belt, the 65-year old Rodriguez has a glowing reputation with over 70 world title fights and had already traveled the world to ply his trade. Among the countries where he has worked are Germany, Costa Rica, Colombia, Scotland, Panama, England, Mexico, Argentina, Poland and the Philippines.

He was the referee when Terence Crawford hammered a 9th round stoppage of Yuriorkis Gamboa last June, two weeks after McWilliams Arroyo flattened erwhile unbeaten Filipino Froilan Saludar in the second round of their WBO flyweight match.

He is also no stranger in officiating Filipino fighters.

In 2008, he came to Manila to referee the WBO bantamweight championship fight between defending titleholder Gerry Peñalosa and Thai challenger Ratanachai Sor Vorapin at the Araneta Coliseum where Peñalosa halted Ratanachai in eight rounds.

But nothing was bigger when he called the match between Pacquiao and Brandon Rios also in this Chinese gambling resort last year.

Rodriguez, however, drew flak in that match after he failed to neutralize some unsportsmanlike tactics employed by Rios, including hitting on the break and pulling Pacquiao's head down.

Boxing experts say he should have asserted his position and slapped Rios with a deduction that could have completely changed the complexion of the fight.

Pacquiao won via unanimous decision.

Freddie Roach expressed confidence Rodriguez will do a better job this time.

"We have no problem with the referee," said the five-time Trainer of the Year. "We are very familiar with him." — JST/LBG, GMA News