Defending European bantamweight titlist Simeone Maludrottu of Italy defended his title with a controversial win in the hometown of challenger Damaen Kelly. A former European flyweight champion, Kelly, age of 33, should have once again won the European title, as he outboxed Maludrottu, but after twelve seemingly comfortable rounds for Kelly, three European judges turned in mystifying verdicts to allow Maludrottu to retain his title for the fourth time.