Top Rank’s promoter Bob Arum and Bob Bennett got into a heated argument after the hugely anticipated rematch between Joshua Franco and Andrew Moloney ended in a controversial no-contest. According to ESPN journalist Brett Okamoto, Arum and Bennet were seen arguing with each other at ringside after the end of the fight.
Nevada commission executive director Bob Bennett and Top Rank's Bob Arum just got into it ringside at MGM. Bennett started yelling at Arum as they were talking privately, and the two were quickly separated.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 15, 2020
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The reason for the heated argument that saw Bennett screaming at Arum is not a hard thing to figure out. Boxing fans around the world have expressed their views on the outcome of the fight. Many believe the unfortunate stoppage because of the swollen eye was not because of the headbutt, as claimed by Franco’s team.
“This is an absolute disgrace. There was no headbutt. Moloney should be the new champion.” Arum was quoted as saying soon after the conclusion.
Bob Arum says he’s going to “Get the fuck out of Vegas.” #Boxing #FrancoMoloney #CrawfordBrook pic.twitter.com/TrebUsUydr
— Sean Zittel (@Sean_Zittel) November 15, 2020
Arum accused the commission of protecting the referee. “They kept (protecting) the referee, who didn’t know what the hell he was doing.”
He also gave inside on what happened at the ringside with Bob Bennett, “I was discussing, people just blame me because I am the promoter. I have got nothing to do with the goddamn thing. I just want a fair adjudication. They made a mistake. The referee made a mistake…It’s not even close.”
Did the headbutt cause the swollen eye in Joshua Franco vs Andrew Moloney 2?
Andrew Moloney looked emotional in the post-fight interview. He claimed that it wasn’t the headbutt, but his “50 jabs” that he landed on Franco, which caused his eyes to shut. Needless to say, Moloney looked incredible in the rematch and landed a barrage of punches in the first round. He dominated early on and look determined to reclaim his throne.
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In the post-fight interview, he expressed his disappointment at the fight being taken away from him.
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Joshua Franco called a stop to the bout in the third round before complaining about not being able to see from his severely swollen right eye. Referee Russell Mora called the fight a no-contest. Additionally, both the Nevada commission and the referee couldn’t find any reason to change the decision in favor of Moloney, which otherwise would have been a TKO win for the former champion.
What did you make of the finish?
