Australian super flyweight contender Andrew Moloney 25-3 (16) will aim to get the bitter taste of defeat out of his mouth when he takes on Filipino Judy Flores 13-1 (7) over 10 rounds at the Pullman Hotel in Albert Park, Australia of December 9.
It will be the first time the 32-year-old has boxed since his 12th round knockout loss to reigning WBO super flyweight champion Junto ‘Knackers’ Nakatani 26-0 (19) in Las Vegas, Nevada in May.
In that fight Moloney fought hard but was ultimately outclassed by the talented 25-year-old Japanese southpaw. He recovered from a second round knockdown only to be dropped again in the 11th and was on the wrong end of one of the knockouts of the year in the 12th.
For almost six months, this has been Moloney’s most recent memory of the ring. It is one he wants to forget.
“I’m itching to be back in the ring and thank you to my promoter Top Rank for getting me this opportunity and coming together with Wildfighter Promotions and Dragon Fire Boxing for putting everything together for putting it all together so I can get back in the ring before the years out and set up a big 2024,” Moloney said.
“I’ve rested and reset after the Nakatani fight. I’m ready to get back in there and I know I’m still improving. That’s what’s exciting and I may go down to flyweight in 2024. That’s yet to be determined, I’m still ambitious in the sport and will be world champion again by any means necessary.”
The 24-year-old Flores is a tough young Filipino who comes from the same camp as WBA and IBF super bantamweight champion Marlon ‘Nightmare’ Tapales 37-3 (19), who will face Japanese superstar and WBC and WBO super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue 25-0 (22) at Ariake Arena in Koto-Ku, Tokyo, Japan on December 26.
Fight fans can expects to see a well-conditioned Flores in the ring as he looks to force his way into the world rankings in what will be just his second fight abroad following his unanimous decision loss to Antonio Nieves 20-4-2 (11) in the US in May last year.
“Flores is a solid customer, I’m not overlooking him at all,” Moloney said. “He comes from a really solid camp which has multiple current and former world champions, so he’s going to be game and try to test me. That excites me.
“He knows he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. I need to show I’m back to my best and have another world title in me, so there’s a lot at stake on December 9.
“I believe I have a lot left in the tank and I intend on showing it December 9 in Victoria. It’s always nice to box at home and put on a show, so I’m zoned in on putting on an explosive performance.”
