Aussie boxing star George Kambosos Jr nabs hugely controversial win – with opponent Maxi Hughes left fuming: ‘It’s a kick in the bollocks… I don’t know what the judges were seeing

Former unified world lightweight champion George Kambosos got away with an incredibly contentious majority decision win over English fighter Maxi Hughes in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Kambosos remained relevant in the lightweight boxing division and added another belt to his collection, with the controversial victory over IBO champ Hughes – who made the Aussie work hard.

One judge scored the fight 114-114 and the other two had it 117-111 and 115-113 in Kambosos’s favour.

The result drew boos from the crowd, with ringside commentators and social media widely favouring Hughes.

The appalled ESPN commentary team all scored the bout for Hughes, with the majority agreeing that Hughes won seven rounds to Kambosos’ five. 

‘Absolutely disgusting scorecards, no way Kambosas won that fight,’ tweeted one fight fan.

‘The fight was clearly fixed,’ commented another.

‘It won’t be much talked about I reckon but that’s one of the worst scorecards I’ve seen this year Kambosos didn’t win it, I struggle to give him more than 3 rounds,’ said a third.

The bout was an eliminator for the IBF title held by Devin Haney, who defeated Kambosos in the Australian’s last two bouts.

With Haney considered likely to move up to junior welterweight, 30 year-old Sydneysider Kambosos could fight No.1 contender Gustavo Lemos of Argentina for a vacant title.

Hughes, who had won his past seven fights, lost his IBO lightweight world title to Kambosos, though that organisation is not considered one of the major governing bodies in the sport.

Kambosos (21-2, 10 KOs) said before the fight he wanted to destroy Hughes (26-6, 5 KOs) but the 33-year-old southpaw fought in smart fashion and never appeared in trouble.

Hughes was devastated after the judges’ decision, clearly thinking he’d done enough to secure his title. 

Hughes was devastated with the judges’ decision, believing he’d done enough to win

Kambosos threw more punches but landed at a lower percentage than Hughes, who countered well and controlled range for most of the fight

‘Don’t want to sound like a sore loser. It was a kick in the bollocks to be honest,’ he said.

‘I’m absolutely devastated.’

Kambosos landed several single power shots through the fight, but was unable to sustain pressure on the crafty Yorkshireman.

The Australian threw more punches but landed at a lower percentage than Hughes, who countered well and controlled range for most of the fight.

Kambosos threw plenty of jabs, but many fell short and didn’t score.

Both men were cut and bloodied in the first half of the fight.

Kambosos was cut above his right eyebrow by a Hughes left hand in the fifth round.

A cut opened up above Hughes right eyebrow in the sixth following an accidental head butt.