Judges’ scorecards have been questioned after Sam Goodman’s audacious crack at a boxing world title was shot down by English champion Nick Ball in a 12-round Saudi Arabian thriller.

The Australian (20-1) was beaten for the first time on Sunday (AEST), after moving up a division in an attempt to snatch the WBA featherweight belt.

All three judges favoured Ball’s power over Goodman’s ring craft — scores were 117-111, 118-110, 115-113 — in an eyebrow-raising margin that didn’t reflect the even nature of the fight.

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One judge gave Goodman just two of 12 rounds, another awarded the Australian three while the third judge saw it 7-5 in favour of Ball.

Goodman was already shaking his head upon hearing the 117-111 and 118-110 scores.

Prominent Australian boxing commentator Ben Damon said: “Goodman was brilliant in his first world title fight and the 118-110 and 117-111 scorecards are despicable.”

Goodman’s promoter George Rose simply said: “Bulls***!!!”

“I thought the judging was terrible, but we knew going in we weren’t going to get any favours,” the No Limit Boxing boss added later.

“I didn’t agree with those scorecards at all — Sammy deserved far better.

“He proved he belongs on the world stage and showed he’s truly world class.

“Sammy stepped up a division for this world title fight and delivered an exceptional performance.

“He made Australia proud and showed he’s ready for more big nights like this.”

Goodman’s effort wasn’t missed by influential Saudi royal advisor Turki Alalshikh, who praised his work and indicated the Australian had earned a return invite to another of his lucrative Riyadh Season cards.

“I thought Sam Goodman did fantastic in his fight with Nick Ball,” Alalshikh wrote.

“He showed a lot of skill and the rounds were close. I would love to see more of him on future Riyadh Season and Ring Magazine cards.”

Ball, England’s only current male boxing world champion, improved to 23-0-1 with the win in the support to Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight headline act in Riyadh.

Goodman, 26, has moved up from super bantamweight — a difference of about three kilograms — chasing an unlikely, overdue title shot.

After spending two years as mandatory, Goodman was scheduled to meet Japanese pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a Tokyo title fight last year.

A bad cut above his eye in sparring delayed it and when the cut reopened Goodman was forced to withdraw, and give up the $1 million payday.

A 10-month layoff was required before he beat Cesar Vaca in May and then jumped at the chance to move up and challenge Ball.

Itauma, the 20-year-old, No.1 ranked WBO heavyweight contender, destroyed veteran Whyte in a first-round knockout and had Alalshikh pushing for a clash with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk next.

- with 7NEWS