Moloney back on track for world title shot
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Andrew Moloney has another world title belt in his sights after the super-flyweight notched his first win in more than two years.
The 30-year-old was a class above Froilan Saludar on Tuesday night, judges handing him the unanimous points decision 99-91, 98-92 and 98-91 after 10 rounds in Sydney.
“He was so tough,” Moloney said of his Filipino rival.
“A few times I thought I might’ve had him there, but just his head is made out of concrete or something … just so tough.”
It was Moloney’s first fight on home soil since claiming the WBA super-flyweight title in November 2019, and comes after a trio of bouts with Joshua Franco that threatened to derail his career.
Moloney was controversially beaten in their first match-up before a no-result was determined in their second when a cut Franco suffered from a punch was deemed to have been caused by an accidental headbutt.
The Victorian lost the third fight to Franco in August but on Tuesday night improved his record to 22-2 and one no contest in a performance that renewed confidence in his latest title tilt.
Ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, Moloney is eyeing four-weight world champion Kazuto Ioka’s WBO strap.
The Japanese boxer will defend his title against countryman Ryoji Fukunaga on New Year’s Eve, Moloney seeking a date with the champion “as early as possible” next year.
AAP
