Boxing fans are up in arms after another controversial judges’ decision in an high profile fight on the undercard of Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia.
Irishman Sean McComb travelled to Brooklyn to face the unbeaten Arnold Barboza, and boxed impressively over the ten rounds to earn a massive reception at the Barclays Center. But when the scorecards were read out after the final bell, fans were stunned to hear that he had lost a split decision.
Barboza was a massive favourite heading into the bout, and spent the build-up calling out the likes of Teofimo Lopez and other top super-lightweights. But he struggled with the southpaw McComb, who glided around and landed the only big shots early.
Outrage as Arnold Barboza takes shock split decision win over Sean McComb
With just minutes to go until the highly-anticipated bout between Haney and Garcia, fans were treated to a solid back-and-forth contest in New York. But it appeared that the Irish fighter had done enough to win the bout, outlanding his rival by eight punches and throwing a considerably higher volume.
Barboza was outspoken about his future plans as the bout drew closer, and even offered to step in when Garcia missed weight for the main event. But he flattered to deceive in his big night at the Barclays Center, narrowly taking the decision win.
McComb had declared before the bout that it was to be his ‘Rocky moment’. And he indeed did suffer the fate of the film’s protagonist who lost a controversial decision at the end of the 1977 Hollywood classic.
Fans take to social media in anger after Arnold Barboza vs Sean McComb split decision
Irish fans immediately made their feelings heard on X, with even top fighters in the region showing their support for their countryman. Unbeaten prospect Cathal Crowley posted: “That has to be one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen disgrace to see at the pinnacle of the sport s*** like that happen.”
“Stevie Wonder saw that robbery coming a mile away,” one user joked. “That’s a ridiculous decision against Sean McComb.” Another added: “Sean McComb has been robbed blind here. They did McComb dirty.”
Some even called it the “worst decision ever seen” in the sport, while Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn said: “How on earth do you have a scorecard that is 98-92 for McComb and 97-93 for Barboza? Makes absolutely no sense at all.
“I thought McComb won. The wideness of the scorecards, that has to be impossible. It just doesn’t make sense.”
Calls to change boxing judging rules after Ryan Garcia vs Devin Haney co-main event ends in controversy
Misfits Boxing promoter Mams Taylor has been an advocate for the changing of boxing judging ever since his charge KSI was beaten by Tommy Fury in October last year. And after watching McComb lose a similarly controversial decision, he reiterated his calls to change the sport.
“And this is why boxing needs a new judging system,” he wrote on X. This was reiterated by Happy Punch boss and Misfits Small Council member Daniel ‘Keemstar’ Keem, who wrote: “Boxing is a Rigged Sport! Until there is a new judging system, the whole sport is just a joke!”
It remains to be seen what exactly Taylor’s new plan for boxing judging is, but he has been aggressively against the current system since the divisive KSI vs Fury fight.