Australian twins Andrew and Jason Moloney will return to action for the first time this year when they headline an ESPN card at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 14.
Super flyweight Andrew ‘The Monster’ Moloney 21-1 (14) will get his long-overdue opportunity to avenge his no contest against Joshua ‘El Profesor’ Franco 17-1-2 (8) in their trilogy fight.
In their first fight in Las Vegas in June last year Franco came on strong in the back half of the bout to outpoint Moloney and claim the WBA ‘regular’ 115-pound title.
Moloney made adjustments in their immediate rematch in Las Vegas in November. The 30-year-old from Kingscliff busted up Franco’s eye and the fight was stopped at the end of the second round. The injury was incorrectly determined to have come from a head clash and the bout was ruled a no contest.
Moloney will get the chance to right that wrong next month.
“I’ve had to wait nine months to once again fight for what should have been mine back in November,” Moloney said. “There is no way I’ll be leaving that ring without my world title this time.
“I’m sure when he looks at himself in the mirror, he knows deep down he’s not the real champion. He knows there was no head clash. I’ve stayed in the gym and used this time to improve as a fighter. He is up against an even better fighter than he was the last time around. He’s in trouble.”
The 25-year-old Franco from San Antonio, Texas is out to prove the result of their first fight was no fluke.
“I’m very excited for this third fight with Moloney. I’ve been preparing very well for this fight, and I’m feeling stronger than ever,” Franco said.
“I hope everybody tunes in come fight night because it’s going to be one to remember. I will remind Moloney why I’m the champ. And still!”
Two-time bantamweight world title challenger Jason ‘Mayhem’ Moloney 21-2 (18) is looking to bounce back from his seventh-round stoppage loss to top-rated pound-for-pound boxer Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue 21-0 (18) in Las Vegas last October.
Moloney has been matched against Chicago’s Joshua ‘Don’t Blink’ Greer Jr 22-2-2 (12) who is coming off a 10-round majority decision loss to Mike Plania in June 2020 and a majority draw against Edwin Rodriguez over eight in November.
“I’m excited to finally be back after what will be nearly 10 months out of the ring,” Moloney, 30, said. “After the disappointment with Inoue, I went straight back into the gym and I’ve been working extremely hard.
“I learned a lot from that fight and it has pushed me and motivated me to improve and reach another level.
“This is a must-win fight for both myself and Greer, but this is my road back to a world title and no one will stop me from achieving my dream of becoming champion of the world.”
The 27-year-old Greer said: “I’m dialled in and having a great camp in Las Vegas. My trainer, Kay Koroma, has added a lot to my game. No stone will be left unturned.
“Jason Moloney is another top contender and at this level, you need other good fighters to bring the best out of you. I’m ready to mix it up with him on August 14. I’m thankful to Top Rank, James Prince and Antonio Leonard for this opportunity.”
Also on the card WBO number three ranked junior welterweight contender Arnold Barboza Jr 25-0 (10) will face Antonio ‘Tono’ Moran 26-4-1 (9) in a 10 rounder.
The 29-year-old Barboza from South El Monte, California scored a brace of 10-round decision victories against Tony Luis and Alex Saucedo last year. Mexico City’s Moran, 28, has gone 2-0-1 since a 2019 defeat to Devin Haney.
“I’ve been in the gym since the Saucedo fight and I’m looking forward to this one,” Barboza said. “He’s a tough, experienced fighter and we’re looking to put on a good show.
“I don’t pay too much attention to the rankings. I always train like it’s a world title fight and I expect Moran to give a great effort.”
In a four-round special attraction Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, will make his professional debut against an opponent to be named.
“The Hard Rock and the fight fans of Tulsa are in for a treat with a grudge match between Franco and Moloney, an all-action fight between Barboza and Moran and the professional debut of a special young man in Nico Ali Walsh,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
