Andrew Moloney robbed in disgusting no-contest by Las Vegas officials in rematch with Joshua Franco

Andrew Moloney has been robbed of a world title victory in his rematch with Joshua Franco after officials ruled swelling on Franco’s right eye was caused by a head clash. 

Replays repeatedly failed to show any evidence of a head clash, although they did show plenty of the jabs and hooks Moloney landed to Franco’s eye. 

Because it was ruled a head clash, the bout was declared a no contest after the doctor stopped it ahead of the third round. If the bout was stopped due to punches – as it should have been – Moloney would have been declared the winner. 

It took well over 20 minutes for officials to watch replays and make the decision.  

“We showed you a jab that turned a healthy right eye of Franco, to a swollen shut right eye,” commentator Joe Tessitore said during the agonising wait for the decision to be made official.

“Where was it? The head is on the other side, the eye is still fresh. It was a thudding jab.” 

Co-commentator and former world champion Andre Ward was adamant the damage was caused by a punch. 

“Never saw it,” he said. “It was a left hand that did it.” 

Fellow former world champ Tim Bradley was irate when it seemed Moloney was about to be robbed. 

“This young man Moloney trained his butt off to get the title and to take it away from him like this is wrong,” he said. 

“It’s plain wrong. It’s wrong. 

“You go, ok, make the right call and then you have a rematch. Do it a third time.” 

“What I’ve seen, it was the left jab,” Ward continued.

“I don’t see what the Nevada State Athletic Commission is looking for. They’ve gotta get this one right. There’s a lot riding on this.” 

Clearly lacking any faith in NSAC, Bradley was sure the wrong decision was about to be announced. 

“They’re not going to get it right,” he said. 

“I’m telling you right now. Watch.” 

The result comes five months after Franco earned a decision win to claim the WBA super flyweight world title. 

A furious Moloney could barely hold back tears as he spoke of the robbery afterwards. 

“That eye was closed by 50 jabs,” he said. 

“I saw it closing and I hit it again 50 times. That’s why the eye shut. Not the headbutt. 

“A can’t believe they took this away from me. I’ve trained my ass off for the last five months, I’ve been away from my family. I don’t know how he can hold that belt. He’s not a champion, I’m the champion.

“I can’t believe they didn’t give it to me. That’s why they’ve got the instant replay. I’ve can’t believe they’ve taken this away from me.”

Franco’s trainer, the legendary Robert Garcia, was adamant his man hadn’t lost the bout. 

“They’re pretty much trying to screw us. The ref called it and that’s the way it should be called,” he said. 

“Why even have a ref if they’re going to overrule the decision?

“It wasn’t like any punch landed, but there were a few head butts.”

Moloney started fast, throwing plenty and landing to Franco’s head and stomach while Franco’s right eye was almost swollen closed by the end of the first round. 

Mora ruled Franco’s eye was swollen closed by an accidental head clash, but replays suggested the injury was caused by repeated left hands. 

Mora had Franco’s eye checked 76 seconds into the second round, but he was allowed to continue as Moloney targetted the weakness.

The Australian operated well at distance early on, but was able to get in and out without much trouble. 

Franco’s eye was checked again ahead of the third round, with officials ruling he was unable to continue. 

Mora maintained the injury was caused by a head clash, meaning the fight was ruled a no contest. 

There was severe confusion as replays couldn’t detect a head clash, meaning Moloney should have been awarded a TKO victory. 

Even Top Rank boss Bob Arum became involved in the post-fight analysis as replays consistently failed to find evidence of a head clash. 

“It was absolutely not a clash of heads,” Tessitore said after watching replays of the jab that caused the damage.