Malcolm Klassen’s promoters are protesting against the scoring in the South African’s recent fight in Australia.

Golden Gloves Promotions’ Rodney Berman said on Saturday his organization had protested against the points defeat Klassen suffered in the IBO junior lightweight title fight against Will Tomlinson in Melbourne last Thursday night.

Two judges scored the bout 118-109 and the third had it 117-110 in favour of the bloodied Australian.

Berman said many of the Australians in the audience said they thought Klassen should have been declared the winner.

"You could have knocked me down with a feather when I heard that two of the judges had awarded the fight to Tomlinson by nine points and the third by seven points," Berman said.

A protest against the decision has been forwarded to the IBO headquarters in the United States.

"Questionable decisions are reviewed by the organisation and I'm sure the IBO will do so on this occasion,” Berman said. "We are calling for a rematch as a matter of urgency."

When South Africa's IBO super-flyweight champion Gideon Buthelezi was recently declared the winner of a fight against Filipino Gideon Dapudong the IBO ordered a rematch, which will be staged at Emperors Palace on June 15.

Golden Gloves' website this week carried a picture of three mice wearing black glasses; ostensibly depicting the judges who had ruled against Klassen, a former IBF champion.

Tomlinson said after the fight he had expected to be declared the winner. 'It was the toughest bout of my career," said the Australian, who is now unbeaten in 22 bouts.

SA trainer Nick Durandt said “hometown decisions” in boxing often happened. "I did not see the bout on TV," he added, "but a lot of people I have spoken to reckon Tomlinson deserved the decision.

"What is more, the referee was an American.”