Former world champion George Kambosos Jr’s boxing career has been resurrected in controversial circumstances after a majority decision favoured the Australian.
In his first fight since a rematch defeat to titleholder Devin Haney last October, Kambosos claimed victory over Maxi Hughes despite many observers expecting the result to go the other way.
Instead, Hughes never came close after the three judges ruled it 114-114, 117-111 and 115-113 in favour of Kambosos.
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Boos rained down inside Firelake Arena in Oklahoma but the Australian refused to buy into the fierce reaction.
“We won the fight by many rounds,” Kambosos said after the IBF lightweight title eliminator.
“That’s no discredit to Maxi Hughes. He had a couple of good rounds but a couple of good rounds doesn’t win you a fight.
“We won the majority of the rounds. That’s the reason we chose him, he’s a hard test. This was a hard challenge.
“I got through this fight. I believe that the majority of the rounds I won, and this is a movement into the next stage (of my career).”
Hughes, meanwhile, disagreed with the decision but said he did not want to sound like a sore loser.
“It was a bit of a kick in the bollocks, to be honest … I’m absolutely devastated,” the Briton said.
“Nobody knew who I was. I wasn’t supposed to be in George’s league. I came and showed, I should have had my hand raised. But I don’t want to take George’s moment.
“My footwork, making him miss, making him pay, landed the cleaner shots. You know, I don’t want to sound like a sore loser, but when I watch it back, assess it – everybody here now knows who Maxi Hughes.
“I thought I was doing enough, listening to instruction. I was just doing what I felt. I don’t know what the judges were seeing, but I did what I was asked.”
Prominent boxing journalist Dan Rafael said it was a “f***ing disgrace” that one judge ruled Kambosos had won nine rounds.
Former world champion Jamel Herring was left shaking his head after watching ringside.
“Listen, I like Kambosos, tough gritty fighter, but I like what I seen MORE from Hughes,” he wrote.
“That man earned his shot, but it is what it is… Maxi, you fought a good fight.”
Hughes, a 33-year-old southpaw, fought in smart fashion and never appeared in trouble.
Kambosos landed several single power shots through the fight, but was unable to sustain pressure on the crafty Yorkshireman.
The Australian threw more punches but landed at a lower percentage than Hughes, who countered well and controlled range for most of the fight.
Kambosos threw plenty of jabs, but many fell short and didn’t score.
Both men were cut and bloodied in the first half of the fight.
Kambosos was cut above his right eyebrow by a Hughes left hand in the fifth round.
A cut opened up above Hughes right eyebrow in the sixth following an accidental headbutt.
Kambosos met with potential next opponent Shakur Stevenson after the fight but the American is already looking elsewhere.
“He’s not on my level,” he told ESPN.
Stevenson was even more forthright to Kambosos and his team: “I will beat the s*** out of him.”
Kambosos could also fight No.1 lightweight contender Gustavo Lemos for the IBF world title if current champion Devin Haney vacates with a move up to junior welterweight.
– with AAP
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