Jason Moloney warns Vincent Astrolabio ahead of world title showdown: 'He's made a mistake'

Tom Naghten

Jason Moloney warns Vincent Astrolabio ahead of world title showdown: 'He's made a mistake' image

Jason Moloney (25-2) is hoping it’s a case of third time lucky when he takes on Vincent Astrolabio (18-3) for the vacant WBO bantamweight title in California on May 13 (May 14 in Australia).

The 32-year-old has twice fought for a world championship but fell short against Emmanuel Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue, in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

Now, with Inoue, the former undisputed champion at 118 pounds (53.5 kg), chasing more titles at super-bantamweight, the division’s belts have opened back up.

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Since losing to the Japanese superstar, Moloney has won four straight fights to put himself back in the frame for a title shot.

He most recently scored a one-sided decision win over Nawaphon Kaikanha in their title eliminator in October.

Taking place in Stockton, California on the undercard to the WBO middleweight title bout between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Steven Butler, Moloney is confident of getting his hands on world championship gold.

“He [Astrolabio] was rated number two in the world with the WBO and the IBF, so he sort of had two titles to choose from and he’s made a mistake and chosen me, unfortunately for him,” Moloney told Sporting News.

“It’s a fight that I’m very confident I’ll win. I think I’ve got his measure in just about every department.

“I believe I’ve got him covered in all areas but I’m working extremely hard to make sure I get that world title wrapped around my waist on May 13.”

Astrolabio, 25, has won six on the trot since his last loss in 2018, including wins over multiple-time world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and, most recently, a sixth-round stoppage of Nikolai Potapov back in December.

Similar to his opponent, Moloney had his choice of two vacant titles.

Back in January, the WBC ordered Moloney’s team to negotiate a fight for their vacant bantamweight strap with Nonito Donaire’s promoter.

That never materialised as Moloney’s promoter, Top Rank, don’t do business with the Filipino star’s team but the Aussie’s high ranking with the WBO meant he had other options, opening the door for the Astrolabio bout.

Incredibly, Moloney’s identical twin brother Andrew, who also has an identical 25-2 professional record, is fighting for his own world title exactly a week after Jason.

Set to be officially announced next week, Andrew Moloney will be taking on Junto Nakatani for the WBO super-flyweight belt in Las Vegas on one of the biggest cards of the year - the undisputed lightweight world championship bout between Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko

Jason admits the prospect of both of them winning world titles a week apart has crossed his mind.

“At the end of a pretty brutal day of training when I’m knackered sitting on the couch I sort of think about how much it’s all going to be worth it when we both get those belts around our waist.” he said.

“It will be a pretty enjoyable couple of days in Las Vegas once we both win those world titles, for sure.”

The Victorian pair, who now train in Cudgen on the NSW north coast, and their team will head to the US on April 12 to put the finishing touches on their world title assaults.

A win would see them join Tim Tszyu and Jai Opetaia in the ranks of current Australian male world champions.


Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.