As Liam R said this fight is not always so easy to see who scores what given some of the camera angles. I also agree with those who said the clicker system isn’t useful in determining the winner of this fight (or any MuayThai fight) but having judged the fight now, I feel Clifton did win. I will give a round by round break down for those who might be interested. I think the issue with those that scored it to Kaoklai have not considered Kaoklai losing position when hit. It doesn’t matter that there is a size difference, if a boxer loses position they get scored upon and the other boxer is considered more effective. Clifton did lose position himself at times but caused Kaoklai to lose position far more with a number of shots. This was similar to Duwao fighting a bigger boxer at Lumpinee last year. A number of the lads who generally have a good grasp of scoring thought Duwao had won because he had clearly hit his opponent’s body with more kicks. However, they hadn’t considered the relative effect of kicks in that case. In that fight, like this one, the bigger boxer had more effect when striking. Clifton did suggested part of the reason he won was because he advanced during the fight. However, on its own this is no guarantee of winning as a boxer who scores can do so moving backwards sideward or against the ropes. However, effect is important and Clifton is more effective. This is my break down round by round.

Round 1
Kaoklai scores with a teep. Clifton scores with a low kick. Kaoklai scores left body kick. Clifton scores with a punch as Kaoklai kicks. Kaoklai evades Clifton’s kick and counters but doesn’t score. Clifton attacks Kaoklai evades Clifton’s punches loses balance but no contact is made. Kaoklai scores left body kick. Kaoklai teeps no score but then scores well teeping Clifton over. Both boxers move into the clinch but although difficult to see from the camera angle it does appear that either boxer scores. Punching exchange no score. Kaoklai kicks but doesn’t cleanly make contact and the kick is caught and doesn’t score. Clifton teeps but Kaoklai side steps catches and counters with a low kick. The boxers move into the clinch and Kaoklai knees but it not clear if any score or not. Referee breaks the boxers. Kaoklai teeps but it doesn’t connect cleanly and the boxers move into the clinch. Clifton elbows but it doesn’t score. Clifton scores with a round knee. Clifton scores with another two round knees and Kaoklai attempts a knee but doesn’t score. There is a punching exchange without anyone clearly scoring. Clifton scores with a knee and throws Kaoklai to the canvas scoring well. Kaoklai body punches no score and punches again but without scoring. Clifton low kicks no real score. Kaoklai low kicks without scoring. Both boxers punch and have some effect scoring.The boxers clinch and Clifton scores with a knee. Kaoklai teeps as Clifton advances but doesn’t score and low kicks again without effect. Clifton punches and Kaoklai evades and moves into the clinch. Both boxers round knee end of the round. Clifton possibly but with only the slightest of edges so a draw is fair.
10:10

Round 2
Clifton kicks but it was blocked no score. Clifton low kicks and scored off balancing Kaoklai. Kaoklai low kicks no score. There is a punching exchange but no score. Kaoklai scores with a teep. Kaoklai low kicks but doesn’t score. Kaoklai moving backwards scores with a straight knee. It is not clear if Clifton scores with a punch or it is evaded. Clifton knees and scores. Kaoklai elbows but no score. Kaoklai teeps but doesn’t score. Boxers clinch and Clifton scores with a round knee. There is a punch and elbow exchange but neither boxer scores well. There are punching exchanges but neither boxer scores cleanly. Boxers move into the clinch and Clifton scores with three knees. There is an exchange of elbows and punches with some effect but with neither boxer dominating. Kaoklai teeps and scores. Kaoklai misses with a low kick. Kaoklai punches but doesn’t score. The boxers move into the clinch Kaoklai knees and scores. Clifton scores with three knees. Kaoklai knees but it is blocked. There is a punching exchange as Clifton backs up but not clear if there is a score. Boxers move to the centre of the ring and again difficult to see clearly but Clifton possible scores with a punch. Clifton knocks Kaoklai back with a punch scoring. Clifton moves into the clinch and scores with a knee. Kaoklai appears to score with a knee but not 100% clear. Clifton attempts an elbow and misses with a teep turns his back to attempt to evade an elbow that lands on his back. Kaoklai attacks with a punch and scores the boxer moves into the clinch. Clifton round knees weakly and doesn’t connect but then although a little off balance scores with a second round knee. Kaoklai scores with a punch. A second punch is evaded. There is a punch and elbow exchange with neither boxer dominating. The boxers clinch and Kaoklai knees but not clear if they score or not one knee does appear to score
Clifton wins the round 9:10

Round 3
Clifton jabs as Kaoklai teeps. Clifton scores with a body kick. Kaoklai jumps in with elbows as Clifton backs up. Kaoklai teeps to it’s not possible to determine if it lands or not. Kaoklai scores with an elbow. There is a number of punching exchanges where Clifton scores and one of which ends with Kaoklai on the floor but the referee is covering the action and so difficult to determine what happens. Clifton advances keeping good position as Kaoklai punches moving backwards but loses balance as he strikes. The boxers move into the clinch and fall through the ropes. The boxers get back onto the canvas and move into the clinch again. Kaoklai manages to turn Clifton and although doesn’t knee turns him and get around his back and the referee breaks the action. There is a punching and elbow exchange with Kaoklai losing position as he is forced backwards onto the ropes, so Clifton scores. The boxers clinch and Clifton scores well with two strong straight knees. Kaoklai attacks with an elbow and scores but appears to miss with a kick. Kaoklai clinches around Clifton’s waist and possible scores with two knees but it is not clear from the camera angle. Clifton kicks but it is blocked. There is a punching exchange with neither boxer is dominant. Kaoklai scores with a left round kick. Boxers move into the clinch but it is difficult to see if any knees scores. Boxers move into the clinch again but it not clear to see if anyone scores. Clifton wins a bigger round 9:10

Round 4
Clifton advances Kaoklai scores with a knee. It appears both boxers exchange knees but not clear if either scores. Boxers break and then move back into the clinch. Clifton scores with a round knee and then a third and fourth round knee . Kaoklai scores with a round knee. Boxers break. Clifton advances forward and Kaoklai teeps but falls backwards and doesn’t score. The boxers move into the clinch and Clifton knees but it is blocked and doesn’t score. Kaoklai scores with a teep. Boxers clinch and although it’s difficult to see clearly it appears Clifton scores with a knee. Referee breaks the clinch. Kaoklai scores with a teep. The boxers clinch but it is impossible to see if either boxers scores or not. Clifton advances and Kaoklai teeps but falls backwards and doesn’t score. Clifton misses with a spinning back fist. Clifton attempts a jumping punch. Kaoklai scores with a punch. Kaoklai scores with a left body kick. Boxers move into the clinch but neither score. Kaoklai teeps but it is caught and countered with a low kick. The boxers clinch and Kaoklai kicks but it’s not a clear score. Kaoklai punches but although Clifton loses balance it is not a clean punch.
Very close round 10:10

Round 5
Kaoklai teeps but no score. Boxers move into the clinch and both score with round knees. Elbows and punches are thrown but not clear if any scored. Kaoklai teeps to defend against a punch but doesn’t score. Clifton punches but Kaoklai dodges the punches. Kaoklai body punches but no score. The boxers clinch but it is not clear if either boxer scores. Kaoklai scores with a teep. Kaoklai scores with a teep to the face. The boxers clinch but neither score. Kaoklai scores with a body kick. Both boxers score with punches. Kaoklai get around Clifton’s back but doesn’t knee. Clifton jumps in but doesn’t score. Boxers move into the clinch but scores aren’t that clean. Kaoklai may have scored with a body kick but the referee blocks the view. Boxers clinch but no scores. Clifton scores with a punch. Kaoklai kicks to the body but gets kicked off balance.
10:10 or 10:9 Kaoklai possibly edges it but not clearly.

A fair score would be 47:49 to Clifton.

I am not sure what will be achieved by an appeal. Who will judge the appeal? The decision on the day was a split decision to Kaoklai. A rematch would be better with three good judges who understand scoring.