Andrew Moloney wants trilogy fight in Australia
Sometimes when things change it, does not always do so for the better. Moreover, when a new system is put in place, it should work the way it is intended. In most sports, instant replay has been vital in overturning crucial mistakes in the effort of making the sport better.
This was not the case in a rematch featuring former WBA super flyweight champion Andrew Moloney (21-1, 14ko) getting robbed of regaining the title from WBA champion Joshua Franco (17-1-2, 8ko) back on November 11. Furthermore, a cut over the right eye of Franco got called an accidental headbutt. As a result, the fight was declared a no-decision at the beginning of the third round.
The biggest debacle came after watching several replays. It was obvious the referee made the wrong call, and this was going to be overturned. The Australian fighter should have been crowned a two-time champion. In a perfect world, that is how it would have worked. However, the no-decision ruling was upheld.
MOLONEY OPENS UP
3kingsboxing affiliate Brawler Sports Media was able to speak with the former champion about the disappointment of the fight and his thoughts on why the decision was not overturned.
“The five months in between the two fights, I trained so hard, and spent a lot of time away from my family, and did absolutely everything I could to get that world title back. I was in the best shape of my life and trained so hard. As you could see in those two rounds I was on fire, I was dominating that fight. I was so confident that I was going to win my world title back.”
“I was dominating the fight, and I was landing jab after jab on his eye. I’ve got no doubt in my mind that is what closed his eye was the jab.”
It is hard to disagree with that statement, and the replay backed up the claim. No headbutt of any kind was seen on the replay, which brings up another question: why did they not correct this error? The former champion shared his thoughts on that as well.
“The only thing I can think of that they didn’t want to overturn the referee’s decision and possibly make him look bad. But he’s in the heat of the moment he’s got to make a split decision call, and yeah, people make mistakes.”
“ I don’t think it would have been necessarily a bad look on him. I think it would have been a good thing to show how good this replay system can be.”
RUN IT BACK
Well, it seems that a trilogy fight is in order. Moloney would reveal what was said to him by legendary promoter Bob Arum about a trilogy fight and the former champion is hoping to host it in his country.
“That night, soon as the fights were over, we had a talk with Bob Arum. He said to me that we still got Franco for one more fight. It’s part of his contract and we are going to make sure that is against you. We are going to do the trilogy fight and hopefully, we can have that fight in Australia in front of a big crowd.”
After what transpired in the rematch, a trilogy fight is the right thing to do. There should be no objections about it at all.
By: Garrisson Bland
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