Boxing world in ‘disgust’ after Kambosos wins title eliminator

Aussie George Kambosos has won a world title eliminator under hugely controversial circumstances that’s left commentators blowing up.

George Kambosos has scored a hugely controversial world title eliminator victory against red hot English fighter Maxi Hughes.

The majority decision by the judges left the ESPN broadcast team staggered and Hughes camp appeared to be in “disgust” as the scorecards were announced.

The 30-year-old Aussie appeared to be getting comfortably outboxed throughout the fight, but dominated the final rounds — potentially tipping the fight in his favour with the ringside officials.

Australian George Kambosos Jr returns in a lightweight clash against Maxi Hughes. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >

The result means Kambosos will have the next shot at the IBF lightweight belt at a time when the division continues to be clouded by world champ Devin Haney, who is expected to vacate his belts to go up a weight division.

As the main event fight on a Top Rank pay-per-view card from Shawnee in Oklahoma, Kambosos had a chance to put his name back in headlights in the United States — but the unconvincing result means he will likely remain a hard sell with the American audience.

The ESPN commentary team all scored the fight in Hughes’ favour with the majority suggesting Hughes won seven rounds to Kambosos’ five rounds.

However, the judges didn’t see it that way.

Kambosos won the fight 114-114, 117-111, 115-113.

George Kambosos vs Maxi Hughes fight in the IBF Lightweight title eliminator.

The moment the judges announced the surprise scores. George Kambosos beats Maxi Hughes.

After noting the 117-111 score in Kambosos’ favour, one of the TV commentators said: “That’s ridiculous. Wow that’s wild”.

Another said: “Who the hell was watching that fight?”

The TV host noted there was a “look of disgust” on the camp in Hughes’ corner.

While it was Hughes who landed the most telling power shots and left Kabosos bleeding early in the fight, punch statistics showed Kambosos was the more active fighter.

CompuBox showed Kambosos threw more punches, but landed just 19 per cent of his swings, while Hughes landed at 29 per cent.

Kambosos was the agressor, while Hughes was more efficient, landing 34% of his power punches. Kambosos landed 8/39 punches per rnd, while Hughes landed 8/28 per rnd. Kambosos landed in single digits in 11 of 12 rnds, while Hughes landed less than 10 punches in 9 of 12 rnds. pic.twitter.com/YjhfLbtbeG

— CompuBox (@CompuBox) July 23, 2023

Kambosos was adamant he won the fight, despite the outrage.

“We won the fight. We won the majority of the rounds,” he said while praising his opponent as a “dangerous fighter”.

Hughes was left absolutely devastated, having paraded around the ring after the 12th round, confident of a victory.

“Don’t want to sound like a sore loser. It was a kick in the bollocks to be honest,” he said.

“I’m absolutely devastated.”

There was a loud chorus of boos when the cards were announced in the ring.

Fight commentators were also furious about the result.

Boxing guru Dan Rafael posted on Twitter it was “garbage” scoring by the judges.

“That a judge gave Kambosos 9 rounds is a f***ing disgrace. End,” he wrote.

For Kambosos, it is a career-saving win, coming after back-to-back losses to Haney.