On Saturday night, Namibian marine Sakaria Lukas (25-1, 17 knockouts) took on The Ring’s No. 8 featherweight contender Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar (12-2, 9 KOs).

Their 10-round junior lightweight bout resulted in a controversial split draw, though, because referee Eddie Claudio called what should’ve been a ruled a knockdown for Lukas early in the eighth round the result of a slip. Repeated replays by Showtime clearly displayed that a left hand by Lukas sent Nyambayar to the canvas, but New Jersey State Athletic Control Board commissioner Larry Hazzard repeatedly told Showtime’s Jim Gray as they watched footage that a punch didn’t cause Nyambayar to go down.

Not counting that knockdown for Lukas caused him to settle for a split draw. Had one point been deducted from Nayambayar, as it should’ve been, Lukas would’ve won a split decision.

Judge Anthony Lundy still scored Lukas a 96-94 winner, but judge Ron McNair scored their fight 96-94 for Nyambayar. Judge Robin Taylor scored it a draw, 95-95, but Lukas would’ve won by one point on her card if Claudio counted that knockdown for him.

The 29-year-old Nyambayar (12-2-1, 9 KOs), who represented Mongolia at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, went off as a 25-1 favorite over Lukas (25-1-1, 17 KOs), according to Caesars Sportsbook.

Lukas replaced Nyambayar’s original opponent, Vic Pasillas, on less than one week’s notice because Pasillas (16-1, 9 KOs) contracted COVID-19. The 37-year-old Lukas has only lost a 10-round unanimous decision to Isaac Avelar (then 15-2) on the Errol Spence Jr.-Danny Garcia undercard 13 months ago at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.