When Kal Yafai 25-0 (15) successfully defended his WBA super flyweight title against Israel Gonzalez 23-3 (10) in Monte Carlo, Monaco on Saturday night, there was one very interested observer half a world away.
The 29-year-old Englishman struggled at times in his fourth title defence and appeared flattered by the scorecards that gave him the victory by margins of six points and four points twice. It was the type of performance that only reinforced to Australian contender Andrew ‘The Monster’ Moloney why he wants to get his hands on Yafai first.
“I have always been confident that I would beat Yafai, that is why I have talked about wanting this fight for so long,” said Moloney 18-0 (11) to The Ring this week.
“But after watching Yafai’s performance, I’m more confident than ever that I have what it takes to win that world title.
“I thought Yafai was one-dimensional and he was very lucky to be given the decision. I personally scored the fight 117-112 to Gonzalez.”
Before the Yafai fight can happen Moloney must first get past Filipino southpaw Cris ‘The King’ Paulino 19-3 (8) in Perth on December 14. Paulino will be just the second lefthander Moloney has faced as a pro.
“I am looking forward to finishing the year off with another victory and moving to 19-0,” said Moloney.
“I hope that I can get Yafai early next year. I am happy to fight him anywhere, but it would be amazing to fight him on the Anthony Joshua card at Wembley Stadium [on April 13] in front of 100,000 people.”
The 27-year-old Moloney and his twin brother Jason have both had breakout years. While bantamweight contender Jason went breathtakingly close to defeating IBF bantamweight champ Emmanuel Rodriguez in the quarterfinals of the World Boxing Super Series, Andrew scored a career-best win in September over former world titleholder Luis ‘El Nica’ Concepcion, stopping him in 10.
The twins’ manager Tony Tolj praised both his charges for their continual improvement in the gym and said the best is yet to come.
“Andrew’s last fight was impressive; he just goes up another level every time. Team Moloney do not want easy fights, we want to make statements and fight the best,” Tolj said to The Ring.
“I believe Andrew will rise to another level facing Yafai, and the junior bantamweight division best beware, there is a monster on the loose and he’s hungry for some gold.”
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