Boxing judges in Saudi Arabia have been accused of behaving like “snakes” after WBC middleweight world champion Carlos Adames was denied outright victory against Hamzah Sheeraz.

Despite outboxing his challenger for much of the contest, the verdict was somehow deemed a draw. The Dominican was up on one card by 118-110, which appeared to accurately reflect his dominance.

However, Sheehaz took a 115-114 verdict on another, with the third reading a 114-114 draw.

The fight in Riyadh, on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 clash, saw Adames hurt the British fighter in the eighth with a fierce right hand. And Sheeraz seemed to have little an answer to the way the champion worked the body.

But the verdict prompted fury, with @Ja4pf_ saying on X: “Adames just got robbed. How was that a draw? Sheeraz is a lucky man.” @mikeivory91 also used the term “robbed,” before adding: “One judge scored 118-110 to Sheeraz?”

Boxing trainer Peter Fury, uncle of former heavyweight champion Tyson, argued that a historic night had been spoiled. “Just made a great card go sour, snakes,” he said.

@BuryEmBoxing ranted: ” I can’t believe what just happened. Hamzah’s own corner told him he needed a KO to win. I had it 118-110 for Carlos.”

Even Sheeraz fans were outraged, with @rsmssports writing: “I wanted Hamzah Sheeraz to win this fight but there is no way on earth you could score it in his favour, he was thoroughly outclassed.”

It wasn’t just boxing fans who were livid. On Radio 5 Live, renowned pundit Steve Bunce didn’t try and hide his disdain at the verdict.

“That was an absolute disgrace,” he said, live on air. “Every single person in the Sheeraz corner knows that we have seen something here tonight that may be ranked as one of the worst scores I have ever, ever been ringside to witness.”

Earlier in the evening, Callum Smith defeated Joshua Buatsi in a brilliant 12-round battle at the ANB Arena. And in that contest, there was little dispute about the unanimous verdict.