It was all about redemption tonight. Andrew Moloney (21-1, 14 KOs) found his U.S. debut against Joshua Franco (17-1-2, 8 KOs) five months earlier to be anything but a walk in the park.
Moloney, 28, may have came into that contest with an undefeated record and gold draped around his shoulders but after 12 rounds and a visit to the mat in the seventh round, Moloney found his record blemished and his waist empty.
Following his defeat, Moloney enacted his immediate rematch clause. Unlike his previous bout with Franco, Moloney was an underdog. Yet, that didn’t stop him from going out there and completely out boxing his man over the course of the first round at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After numerous jabs and left hooks connected, somewhere amongst the commotion an unintentional head butt connected with the right eye of Franco. Referee Russell Mora quickly stepped in to deem to make it clear that if their contest did not continue, it would be because of that aforementioned foul.
Things like that happen in the sport of boxing. Accidental clash of heads take place while a referee steps in to give an inconsequential warning to both boxers. This time however, that warning would come back to play a major factor in their contest.
At the conclusion of the first round, the corner of Franco began working feverishly on a swollen right eye. Despite their efforts, it only worsened. With the eye completely shut at this point, the ringside doctor stepped onto the apron to take a look. After a quick examination, the doctor deemed Franco unable to continue.
From there, things seemed simple enough. With the accidental foul occurring in the first round, Franco would be awarded his title while Moloney would have no other choice but make the long trek back to his hometown of Australia.
As the replay of the accidental head butt began airing, something funny happened.
There was no head butt.
Instead, a healthy dose of jabs were shown for the majority of the first round.
After spending over 25 minutes trying to justify their initial ruling, the Nevada State Athletic Commission huddled around a phone and television monitor as they searched for there mysterious head butt.
Moloney waited patiently in the ring as he paced back and forth praying that things would be ruled in his favor. Unfortunately for him however, boxing has always had an issue with making the right call as the contest was ruled a no contest due to an accidental “head butt.”
Moloney of course, was apoplectic with their findings. His emotions could barely be contained as he simply hoped that his team would be able to get him a third contest with Franco. With boxing seemingly always in the wrong, it could be a long time until Moloney ever fights for another world title.
