Bantamweight contender Jason ‘Mayhem’ Moloney 21-2 (8) wants a second crack at a world title and has newly crowned WBC 118-pound champion Nonito Donaire 41-6 (27) in his sights after the Filipino veteran’s impressive fourth-round knockout victory over previously undefeated French southpaw Nordine Oubaali 17-1 (12) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Saturday night.
The 38-year-old Donaire became the oldest reigning champion in boxing with his dominant win over Oubaali, who he dropped twice in the third round and another time in the fourth, forcing referee Jack Reiss to wave off the contest without a count at the 1:52 mark.
Donaire is chasing a rematch against WBA and IBF bantamweight champion and pound-for-pound level fighter Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue 20-0 (17) who he lost a competitive decision to in the 2019 Fight of the Year.
Moloney, who fights out of Kingscliff, Australia, has firsthand experience of Inoue. He lasted seven rounds with the explosive Japanese phenom in their world title fight in Las Vegas last October.
With Inoue, 28, due to face IBF number one contender Michael ‘Hot and Spicy’ Dasmarinas 30-2-1 (20) in Las Vegas on June 19, Moloney is throwing his hat into the ring to face Donaire next.
The 30-year-old has remained in the gym since his last fight to make sure he is ready to go when the next opportunity presents itself.
“My training’s going very well. I’m always in the gym and I’m constantly making big improvements,” Moloney said.
“I’ve been ready to fight for months now but unfortunately Covid-19 made it extremely difficult for us to host our fights in Australia. I’m looking to fight ASAP. I can’t wait to get back in the ring, I’ve got a lot to prove and big goals that I know I will achieve.”
Donaire was in vintage form against Oubaali, almost 14 years on from his first world title-winning effort against Armenian-Australian wrecking ball Vic Darchinyan for the IBF flyweight title.
The Filipino Flash put Darchinyan to sleep in the fifth round of that fight and it was the same weapon again that did the bulk of the damage against Oubaali, another lefty like Darchinyan.
“Donaire’s performance against Oubaali was very impressive,” Moloney continued.
“I favoured Donaire leading into the fight but I did wonder whether Father Time might finally catch up to him, especially after an 18-month layoff but he was brilliant.”
“Congratulations to Nonito on another fantastic win! I’ve got a lot of respect for Nonito and what he has achieved in his career.”
“I always want to fight the best and take on the biggest challenges and I’d love the opportunity to fight the future Hall of Famer. I know it would be a sensational fight and it’s a fight I know I will win.”
