Australian boxer Andrew Moloney sensationally announced his retirement from the sport following his controversial loss to Pedro Guevara via split decision. On Sunday, Moloney was confident he had done enough to secure victory, but the judges saw things differently – producing a decision he labelled ‘corrupt’.
At RAC Arena on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-George Kambosos undercard, Moloney was in control during the early rounds of the interim junior bantamweight title bout. However, his Mexcian opponent began to build momentum from the fifth round onward.
Guevara showcased his admirable stamina and landed a number of attacks on Moloney’s body. Regardless, the 33-year-old still thought he had done enough to win only for the judges to force him to turn his back on the sport.
Two judges scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Guevara, while the other believed Moloney had won. The last judge scored the contest 116-113 for the Australian, but he was incredulous.
“I’m done with this sport,” Moloney said in the ring immediately after the fight. “That’s the last you’ll see of me. I want to thank my sponsors. I’m retired, I’m out. I love you all, but sorry, f— that.
“I felt in total control. I did what I had to do in there tonight to get the win. I don’t want to make excuses, but I went into this fight with a torn biceps, so I couldn’t throw the left hook unless I needed to. I didn’t feel like I needed to throw it because I was in total control.”
When approached to give an interview with ESPN after the fight, Moloney had still not cooled down. He doubled down on his retirement decision, adding: “Honestly, I should say I’m shocked, but I’ve been here before in this sport. It’s corrupt as anything.
“I thought I won 10 rounds to two. I should have been walking home with that belt. I’ve given my life to this sport for 20 years. That’s twice they’ve ripped me off for a world title.
“I’m done with this sport because it’s corrupt and I can’t do anything more than I already am, so I’m out.”
In his own interview, Guevara had suggested he was more than happy to give the Australian a rematch. But Moloney, a former WBA junior bantamweight champion who won Commonwealth Games gold for Australia in 2014, appears intent on moving on from boxing.