Social media reacts to ‘one of the worst calls ever’
THE boxing world is reeling after today’s controversial world title rematch between Joshua Franco and Andrew Moloney.
Five months removed from their first meeting, Moloney (21-1, 14 KOs) and Franco (17-1-2, 8 KOs) met in ‘The Bubble’ after the Australian surrendered his WBA super flyweight crown to the hard-nosed Texan in June.
This time around, the 29-year-old looked set to secure revenge in front of a global audience, with Franco suffering a swollen eye in the first round on the back of a Moloney jab.
Ultimately, the fight was called a no decision, despite lengthy discussions between referee Russell Mora, Robert Byrd, promoter Bob Arum and NSAC Executive Director Bob Bennett.
As the dust settles on the controversial result, a series of media personalities and industry professionals alike took to social media to voice their opinions.
My god did this man get robbed. One of the worst calls ever. What is the point of an instant replay when this can happen? https://t.co/MTZBJiwsvm
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) November 15, 2020
Man, this is heartbreaking. Impossible not to feel for Moloney. Not right. He won.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 15, 2020
Disgrace. Words fail. Moloney should be flying home with a belt. #FrancoMoloney2 https://t.co/DxFXjRwPCz
— Caden Helmers (@cadenhelmers) November 15, 2020
Arum and Bennett, the head of the commission, were arguing over the decision to rule Moloney-Franco a no contest. Told it was incredibly heated. Arum, at 88, still has it! https://t.co/cAi21umcQp
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) November 15, 2020
“I’ve been involved in many headbutts and I’ve never seen that happen.” @Timbradleyjr says he knows a thing or two about headbutts and Moloney didn’t land one. #CrawfordBrook pic.twitter.com/3n80C16jaE
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) November 15, 2020
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
Robert Byrd says they saw two head butts. Bennett declined comment pic.twitter.com/RsZBcmn1Ne
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) November 15, 2020
Bob Bennett on the #FrancoMoloney ruling pic.twitter.com/Y2dYGFRrwD
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) November 15, 2020
This is amazing. Helen Mirren knows it was a robbery (even if she doesn’t know which twin is which) #FrancoMoloney2 pic.twitter.com/xsB03CKYmB
— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) November 15, 2020
What a complete embarrassment! That is utterly incompetent officiating from everyone involved. @AndrewMoloney should be a two time world champion right now #FrancoMoloney2 🤮
— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) November 15, 2020
🤯 If you think VAR in football is bad, check out #FrancoMoloney2 26 minutes to make the WRONG call. Unbelievable. https://t.co/5z2nVUR5tc
— No Context Hearn (@NoContextHearn) November 15, 2020
"I cant believe they took it from me" – @AndrewMoloney is barely holding back tears during ESPN interview #FrancoMoloney2 #boxing pic.twitter.com/sjXMgwSgdr
— przemek garczarczyk (@garnekmedia) November 15, 2020
Class is once again in session tonight as Joshua “The Professor” Franco makes the first defense of his world title on ESPN 🥊 The entire Golden Boy family is with you, @JoshuaFranco_. #FrancoMoloney2
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) November 14, 2020
Clear and obvious head clash. #CrawfordBrook #FrancoMoloney2 pic.twitter.com/v4qWY8gvGw
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) November 15, 2020
When two people just seem to look at each other while simultaneously punching one another – that is called a headbutt, right? It’s just science. #FrancoMoloney2 pic.twitter.com/iVQ7H04UOt
— Ryan Boger (@rboger12) November 15, 2020
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
I actually can’t believe that. #FrancoMoloney2 pic.twitter.com/IbfzMzC21u
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) November 15, 2020
Y'all thought they would get it right with Robert Byrd as the replay official? #FrancoMoloney2 #boxing pic.twitter.com/PsCt7ffrjw
— caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) November 15, 2020
I don’t know about u guys, but I was ready to pay 75 bucks just to have these guys stop talking. #FrancoMoloney2 #CrawfordBrook
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) November 15, 2020
A gutted @AndrewMoloney and his team will meet with @BobArum on Monday at @trboxing to begin the process of appealing and overturning today’s horrendous officiating and decision #FrancoMoloney2
— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) November 15, 2020
Photo: Getty Images
