Former world champ Andrew Moloney has muscled his way back to the winner’s circle, making light work of Filipino Judy Flores in their World Boxing Organization (WBO) Global super flyweight title scrap on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Pullman Hotel in Albert Park City, Australia.
Moloney, now the new WBO Global super flyweight kingpin, clinched the 10-round regional title fight with a unanimous decision win. The judges were pretty much singing the same tune, with two scoring it a clean 100-90 and another a tad closer at 97-93, all rooting for Moloney.
This victory jazzed up the 32-year-old Moloney’s record to 26 wins, 16 of those by knockout, and just three defeats. It’s a loud comeback from his tumble against Japan’s Junto Nakatani for the WBO World super flyweight title over in the neon lights of Las Vegas, United States.
Flores, rolling out of Sanman Boxing Gym with Nonito Donaire Sr. in his corner, found himself tasting his second defeat amid 13 wins and seven knockouts.
Moloney had the reins for most of their 10-round tussle. He was all about speed, timing, and stiff jabs, pushing Flores onto the back foot.
But Flores wasn’t about to roll over. He brought some heat in the next round, cornering Moloney a few times, though he got his wrists slapped by the ref for a low blow.
Round three saw Moloney fire back, meeting Flores’s gusto with his own blend of combos, a rhythm he kept pumping through the later rounds.
Even trailing on points, Flores didn’t throw in the towel, aiming for Moloney’s midsection. But the Aussie ex-champ waded through it all.
Moloney bossed the final rounds, shrugging off a referee’s warning for a low blow of his own.
Post-fight, Moloney declared, “Flores was a tough nut, and I was after a real test. I’m laying it all down to be up there with my brother as a World Champion in 2024.”