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Boxing

Joshua Franco retains title in win over Andrew Moloney despite knockdown scare

Alexander Netherton
Joshua Franco retains title in win over Andrew Moloney despite knockdown scareDAZN
The WBA super flyweight championship was settled in less controversial circumstances than the second fight.

Joshua Franco retained his WBA super flyweight belt in his trilogy rematch against Andrew Moloney on Saturday night.

The second fight was called off in controversial circumstances when Franco suffered a broken eye socket. The referee believed the injury was caused by an accidental headbutt and the fight was left unresolved, but Moloney believed that replays demonstrated that he caused the injury with legitimate injuries - and thus was denied vengeance.

In the third fight though Franco defended his belt with a unanimous decision, and Moloney again suffered at the hands of digital technology - he was erroneously and briefly awarded a knockdown until replays showed Franco had slipped.

Franco said after the fight: "I had to switch it up on him. He thought I was going to put pressure on him the whole time. That wasn't working, so I had to switch it up and go to my boxing skills.

"I had fun with my rhythm, with my jab, my feet. I'm comfortable in there, and that's what I did.

"We just told each other, all that talking is part of the game, part of building the fight up.

"He'll be world champion again. He's a strong fighter. Nothing but respect to him. I wish him the best in his career."

Moloney was unbowed, saying: "I'll have to use this as motivation to come back stronger. It's going to be a long road back."

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