Bailey calls stint on state commission ‘rewarding’

After nine years of serving Nevada, John Bailey is ready for a vacation from public service.

The Las Vegas attorney ends his run on the Nevada Athletic Commission at the end of the month, and Bailey said it's time to move on.

"I've enjoyed it immensely, and to see boxing and mixed martial arts grow during my time on the commission has been exciting and rewarding," he said. "But I look forward to going to the fights and screaming and rooting, just like any other fan."

Bailey was appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn, and he spent nine years adjudicating issues and setting policy for the state.

"I remember my second week on the job I was dealing with Mike Tyson trying to get his license back," Bailey said. "My goal was always to find a compromise while still doing what was in Nevada's best interests."

Bailey's last day is Oct. 31. Gov. Jim Gibbons has appointed Francisco Aguilar, another local attorney, to take Bailey's place.

"I'm pretty excited," Aguilar said. "Boxing and MMA play a significant part in our economy, and I've been a big fan of both since I moved to Las Vegas in 2004."

Bailey said Aguilar, who has been working as counsel for Andre Agassi's foundation, will do fine.

"He's a sharp guy, and he'll do a great job," Bailey said. "He understands rules and regulations, which is a big part of the job."

• NEW CHAIR -- Commissioner Pat Lundvall will succeed Bill Brady as NAC chairman on Nov. 1. Lundvall, appointed to the commission by Gibbons in 2007, becomes the first female chairperson in NAC history.

• PACQUIAO-COTTO OFFICIALS -- Kenny Bayless has been selected to referee the Nov. 14 WBO welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden.

The judges will be Las Vegas residents Adalaide Byrd, Duane Ford and Dave Moretti.

Jay Nady will referee the WBA super welterweight title fight between Daniel Santos and Yuri Foreman, the main undercard fight. The judges will be Robert Hoyle and Jerry Roth of Las Vegas and Clark Sammartino of Providence, R.I.

• NEW FIGHT JUDGE -- The NAC has granted a license to Tim Cheatam of Las Vegas to work as a professional judge.

Cheatam, 38, has worked as an amateur fight judge and was a judge at the USA Boxing nationals in Denver in July. He replaces Bill Graham, who died in August.

• DRAGS AND DUKES -- Fans attending the Oct. 31 NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway also can take in some boxing between races.

Golden Boy Promotions will have four sparring bouts in a ring constructed on the midway at the Strip.

Also, Shane Mosley and Victor Ortiz will sign autographs and meet fans. Neither is expected to spar.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.