{"id":155329,"date":"2020-11-15T02:48:01","date_gmt":"2020-11-15T10:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=155329"},"modified":"2020-11-15T13:14:21","modified_gmt":"2020-11-15T21:14:21","slug":"toprank-boxing-ceo-arum-slams-nevada-board-after-disputed-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/toprank-boxing-ceo-arum-slams-nevada-board-after-disputed-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Title Bout Controversy Causes Promoter Bob Arum to Say His Fights May Leave Las Vegas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Boxing promoter Bob Arum may have had his fill of Las Vegas. On Saturday night, the founder and CEO of Top Rank Boxing sounded off when the Nevada State Athletic Commission, after a protracted review of a title fight, ruled controversially it was a no-contest because of a purported head butt.<\/p>\n

\"Vegas
Andrew Moloney (right) and his brother, Jason, watch as officials review whether his title fight against WBA flyweight champion Joshua Franco ended because a head butt caused Franco’s right eye to be shut.\u00a0 (Image: Mikey Williams\/Top Rank via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The fight between WBA flyweight champion Joshua Franco and Andrew Moloney ended after the second round when Franco\u2019s right eye swelled shut. Referee Russell Mora ruled the swelling came because of an accidental head butt, and because the fight at the MGM Grand<\/a> had not gone four rounds, he ruled it a no contest.<\/p>\n

\n

However, video from the fight, broadcast on ESPN<\/em>, did not show any head butt that hit Franco above his right eye. Instead, it appeared that a Moloney jab in the first round caught the champion flush and led to the swelling. A ringside doctor eventually ruled the damage kept Franco from continuing the fight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nevada officials did use instant replay to review the matter. But after more than 26 minutes, they upheld the referee\u2019s decision. That kept Moloney, who lost the title to Franco in June, from reclaiming his title.<\/p>\n

Throughout the review process, Arum, whose organization promoted the fight, could be seen jawing heatedly at state officials, including commission Executive Director Bob Bennett. After the commission failed to overturn the ruling, Arum told boxing journalist Sean Zittel<\/a> he was \u201cdisgusted\u201d by the commission\u2019s actions, which he claimed were to protect the referee\u2019s error.<\/p>\n

When Zittel asked what he would do next, especially since his fights typically originate out of Las Vegas, Arum replied, \u201cGet the f\u2014k out of Vegas,\u201d<\/strong> and ended the interview.<\/p>\n

Fans Call for Top Fights to Leave Nevada<\/h2>\n

Boxing promoters have always been known for their over-the-top antics, and Arum\u2019s company promotes Moloney and not Franco. But based on social media\u2019s response to the fight, fans seemed to be siding with the soon-to-be 89-year-old.<\/p>\n

\n

Time for @UFC<\/a> @trboxing<\/a> #MMA<\/a> #AllBoxing<\/a> out of Nevada. Show the Nevada State Athletic Commission that quality matters. They don\u2019t care about results – take away their revenue!! Screws casinos too!<\/p>\n

— \u0183\u01dd\u0279\u05e4 (@GregAalberts) November 15, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n