Report- Andrew Moloney-Joshua Franco Third Fight Set

After the controversial ending to their rematch late last year, Australian Andrew Moloney and Texan Joshua Franco apparently have a date for their third fight and the WBA Jr. Bantamweight World Title.

Mike Coppinger of The Athletic reported Monday night that August 14th has been decided on by Top Rank Boxing and ESPN to go with Moloney-Franco III

Sources: Andrew Moloney and Joshua Franco will meet for a third time in the Top Rank on ESPN/ESPN+ main event on Aug. 14, likely in Oklahoma. 115-pound fight. Last bout ended in controversial ND on undercard of Crawford-Brook. Franco won first bout

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) June 22, 2021

The date for the third fight coms after their controversial “no decision” fight in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand “bubble” last November.

In that bout, Franco suffered a serious right eye injury and it almost swelled completely shut (photo top) inside of two rounds. Moloney, still 21-1, 14 KOs, contends that the swelling was from his numerous hard left jabs and left hooks to the eye. However, referee Russell Mora believed that it was from an accidental headbutt in the early stages of round one.

That’s an important distinction, because the ruling of accidental foul nullified Moloney possibly winning by stoppage and because the about had not yet gone four rounds by rules of the Nevada Athletic Commission and the WBA, the fight was to be deemed a no-contest.

Further adding to the confusion and the controversy, is that the Nevada commission along with alternate referee Robert Byrd continue to delay and look at replays of the first round of the fight for clarification that Franco had actually been injured by an accidental Clash of heads. That lasted some 25 minutes before the official decision was announced.

As we wrote here, Nevada commission chairman Bob Bennett vehemently defended the decision to rule to fight a no-contest in the days after the bout.

Franco still 17-1-2, 8 KOs, defeated Moloney in the Top Rank Vegas “bubble” in June. It was Moloney’ American debut and he lost on a narrow unanimous decision. Franco knocked down Moloney in the tenth round, and that proved to be the difference on the scorecards. The three judges having it 115-112, and  two at 114-113.

Top Rank boxing promoter Bob Arum was furious at the delays and the no-contest ruling, as he and the Moloney believed there was no concrete evidence that the swelling on Franco’s eye was caused by an accidental butt. Rather, they point to the numerous punches Moloney was landing on the right side of Francos face and the eye.

The WBA immediately ordered a third bout. Moloney has been appealing to the WBA and the Nevada commission about having the ruling overturned to a TKO for him, but has gotten nowhere with that.

As Coppinger points out, that night is also slated for the Premier Boxing Champions Bantamweight Unification battle between WBC champ Nonito Donaire and WBO champ John Riel Casimero. It is believed that bout will take place on Showtime Premium cable and likely in Southern California.