In a bout that left the boxing world in uproar, George Kambosos, Jr. emerged victorious over Maxi Hughes in a controversial decision. The former IBF, WBA, and WBO Light champion, Kambosos, entered the ring with a record of 20-2 (10), while the skillful southpaw, Hughes, held the IBO World Light title with a record of 26-5-2 (5). Throughout the 12 rounds at Firelake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Hughes displayed impressive footwork and technical prowess, appearing to have done more than enough to retain the belt he had held for over two years. However, the shock was palpable when the judges Josef Mason and Gerald Ritter scored the fight 117-111 and 115-113, respectively, in favor of Kambosos Jr., with David Sutherland marking it as a 114-114 draw.
The outcome left Maxi Hughes devastated, expressing his disappointment over the decision. Many observers believed that Hughes had clearly won the fight, and the controversial scoring triggered outrage within the boxing community. Even ESPN’s boxing analyst, Tim Bradley, was upset with one of the judge’s scoring, highlighting the need for better oversight and fairness in judging. Despite the contentious result, Kambosos Jr. showed respect for his opponent, acknowledging Hughes’ tough challenge and expressing a willingness to grant him another rematch if the opportunity arises. Nonetheless, the controversy surrounding this fight underscores the importance of addressing issues in scoring and ensuring that judges’ decisions align with the actual performance in the ring.
