Lomachenko Stops Kambosos in 11; Wins IBF Lightweight Title

Vasiliy Lomacheno won the IBF Lightweigt title with an 11th round stoppage of former world champion George Kambosos Jr. in Perth, Australia

In round seven, Kambosos was cut around his right eye. Lomachenko beat down Kambosos and softened him up. In round 11, Lomachenko landed a hard left to the head while Kambosos was bending down that put Kambosos on the canvas. Kambosos was clearly done, and Lomachenko ended the fight by landed a crushing left to the body that put Kambosos down again and the fight was stopped just as the towel was being thrown in from Kambosos corner at 2:49.

Lomachenko is a champion again with a record of 18-3 with 12 knockouts. Kambosos falls to 21-3.

Lomachenko said, “It looked like a knockout today, not ‘No-Mas-Chenko.’ But, you know, we trained hard for this moment. I want to thank my opponent. He is a strong man and a true warrior.

“My plan was to adjust to my opponent. This is what I did during the fight. I knew I needed to finish strong. And in the last three rounds, I was trying to find his body.

I never ran around during my boxing career. I always take fights. Right now, I want to come back to my home, spend time with my family, and after I rest a little bit, we can talk about my future.”

Kambosos said, “He’s a true champion. He’s a legend of the sport. I give him the utmost respect. We knew what we are coming up against, and I tried my best. But it wasn’t enough today.

He’s one of the best fighters in history. So, I’m not ashamed. I wanted to finish the fight on my feet. I wanted to finish the rounds like I always do. But there’s no shame in losing to a man like Lomachenko.”

Johnson Decisions Hughes to Win Bantamweight Title

Cherneka Johnson won the WBA Bantamweight Title with a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Nina Hughes

Johnson landed 167 of 520. Hughes was 133 of 570.

Johnson of Australia won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95. and is now 16-2. Hughes of England is 6-1.

Guevara Decisions Andrew Moloney to Win Vacant Interim 115 lb. Title; Moloney Announces Retirement

Pedro Guevara won the vacant WBC Interim Bantamweight title with a split decision over Andrew Moloney.

In round 10, Moloney began to bleed from his hairline.

Guevara landed 177 of 661 punches. Moloney as 152 of 506.

The scorecards read 115-113 Guevara on two cards, 116-113 Moloney.

Guevara of Mexico is 42-4-1. Moloney of Australia is now 26-4. The bout capped a bad week for the Moloney twins as brother Jason lost his Bantamweight Title in Japan on Monday.

Right after the bout, Moloney announced his retirement by saying, “I am done with this sport, Fuck that.”

“I really want to come back here. It’s amazing here,” Guevara said. “I’d have no problem giving him a rematch.”

Moloney said, “I felt in total control. I did what I had to do in there tonight to get the win. I don’t want to make excuses, but I went into this fight with a torn biceps, so I couldn’t throw the left hook unless I needed to. I didn’t feel like I needed to throw it because I was in total control. “




Andrew Moloney-Pedro Guevara Interim Junior Bantamweight Title Showdown Confirmed as New Co-Feature to Lomachenko-Kambosos Super Fight at RAC Arena in Perth & LIVE on ESPN

PERTH, Western Australia (March 27, 2024) — The opponent has changed, but the stakes are just as high for Australian standout Andrew Moloney. Pedro Guevara will now fight Moloney for the vacant WBC Interim junior bantamweight world title on Sunday, May 12 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

Guevara replaces former world champion Carlos Cuadras, who was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a torn Achilles suffered in training. Moloney-Guevara will be the co-feature to the vacant IBF lightweight world title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. In other world championship action on the bill, WBA bantamweight world champion Nina Hughes looks to turn back the challenge of one-time world champion Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson.

Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Top Rank, Ferocious Promotions, TEG Sport and Duco Events, Lomachenko-Kambosos, Moloney-Guevara and Hughes-Johnson will be broadcast in prime time in the United States on Saturday, May 11 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.

“I’m grateful that Top Rank and my team were able to get such a great opponent so quickly and to still be fighting for the WBC Interim world title,” Moloney said. “Guevara has only lost to world champions, and each of his defeats have come by either split or majority decision. I look forward to being the first person to beat him convincingly and making a massive statement.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity. Moloney is a great fighter, but I want the WBC green belt,” Guevara said. “It’s an honor to be part of the Lomachenko-Kambosos event. I’m very grateful to Top Rank, All Star Boxing and Bxstrs Promotions for making this happen. I will not let my Mexican people down.”

Moloney (26-3, 16 KOs) is unbeaten when fighting on Australian soil and looks to continue his climb back up the 115-pound rankings. After suffering a 12th-round stoppage defeat to Junto Nakatani for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight world title last May, he returned in December with a convincing decision over Judy Flores in Melbourne, Australia. Guevara (41-4-1, 22 KOs), from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, is a former WBC light flyweight world champion who made two world title defenses in 2015. He challenged Kenshiro Teraji for that title in 2017, dropping a majority decision. Guevara saw his 10-fight winning streak end when he lost a split decision to Cuadras last November for the WBC Interim junior bantamweight world title. In February, he outlasted Lamberto Macias via 10-round decision in Mazatlán.

In other undercard action, streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, knockout sensation Imam Khataev (6-0, 6 KOs) steps up against Ri?ards Bolot?iks (20-7-1, 8 KOs). Khataev, who trains in Sydney, Australia, earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. As a professional, he has yet to be pushed past the third round.

Two action-packed heavyweight fights, which will take place after the main event, have been added to the card. Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (31-5, 27 KOs) returns to Australian soil to face New Zealand’s Hemi Ahio (21-1, 16 KOs) in an eight-rounder. The last time Browne fought in Australia, he shocked Junior Fa with a first-round knockout on the first Kambosos-Devin Haney card in Melbourne.

And, in an all-Australian 10-rounder, Faiga Opelu (16-4-2, 12 KOs) will battle former amateur standout Joe Goodall (10-2-1, 9 KOs). Opelu hopes to notch his second straight win, while Goodall loos to rebound from last November’s stoppage defeat to Nigerian knockout artist Efe Ajagba.

Lomachenko-Kambosos, Moloney-Guevara and Hughes-Johnson final tickets including ringside hospitality on sale now at Ticketek.

The final tickets for this event are selling across all categories are on sale now at Ticketek and VIP NOW for hospitality, and when these are gone, the event will be a sellout.

About DiBella Entertainment

In May of 2000, Lou DiBella launched DiBella Entertainment (DBE), a full-service sports and entertainment company, which has become one of the most successful promotional entities in boxing. Serving as matchmaker, television distributor, marketing advisor, and promoter, DiBella has developed an exciting stable of championship caliber, world-class fighters, such as Sergio Martinez, Bernard Hopkins, Jermaine Taylor, Micky Ward, Deontay Wilder, and George Kambosos Jr., among others. DBE clearly established itself as an industry leader with the successful launch of its monthly-televised “Broadway Boxing” series in November 2003. Prior to becoming a promoter, DiBella held an 11-year tenure as the Senior Vice President of HBO Sports. While at HBO, DiBella created and established the highly successful “Boxing After Dark” series, which featured some of the sport’s greatest fights. He is also a well-known fixture in the film industry, having worked as an Executive Producer for the film “Love Ranch”, as an Associate Producer on “The Fighter”, and making his acting debut in “Rocky Balboa”. He also produced or executive produced numerous documentaries, such as Viva Baseball!, Magic Man, Maravilla, Larry Flynt for President, and Tapia. The President and Managing General Partner for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, DiBella proudly wears his 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series rings, as his team is the class AA affiliate to the San Francisco Giants. In 2017, DiBella also became the CEO and Managing Owner of the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team, the AA-affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. DiBella was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020 and inducted in June 2022, as well as the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

About Top Rank

Innovation has been the standard at Top Rank since it was established in 1973 by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. The boxing industry’s leading promotional company, Top Rank has shaped, developed, and promoted the careers of top international pay-per-view superstars and Hall of Famers, including Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Vasiliy Lomachenko and Tyson Fury.

Known for creating strategic collaborations between athletes, sponsors, and television networks, Top Rank has been an architect of boxing’s global growth by staging high-profile events in landmark settings around the world. Top Rank is the industry-leader in creating unforgettable in-arena experiences for fans and embracing 21st century technological advancements to distribute world-class fights and shoulder programming across a variety of platforms.

About Tourism WA

Tourism WA is the WA Government agency responsible for promoting Western Australia as an incredible holiday and events destination. Our role is to inspire more people to visit WA from Australia and around the world.

We do this by marketing the state to our key international markets through innovative campaigns; developing, attracting and promoting major sporting, arts, cultural and business events; and working with government and the tourism industry to improve access, accommodation and tourism experiences for our visitors.

For more information visit tourism.wa.gov.au.

?About TEG Sport

TEG Sport is a producer and promoter of live sporting events featuring the world’s biggest sporting teams and brands. TEG Sport is owned by TEG, a leading global live entertainment, ticketing, and technology business which operates globally and includes Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Ticketek UK, Ticketek New Zealand, Ticketek Malaysia, Ticketek Philippines, Ticketek Singapore, Eventopia, Softix, TEG Dainty, TEG Sport, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, SXSW Sydney, TEG Theatrical, MJR Presents, TEG Life Like Touring, Brickman, TEG Rockefeller, TEG Rugby Live, TEG Europe, Propaganda, TEG Live USA, Qudos Bank Arena, FAN+, VIP NOW, and Ovation.

About Duco Events

Duco Events is one of Asia Pacific’s leading events management and sports promotion companies, responsible for delivering high profile sporting events such as The Battle of Brisbane – Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn, the NRL Auckland Nines, the Brisbane Rugby Tens and the T20 Black Clash alongside numerous other innovative sports, corporate and entertainment events throughout New Zealand and Australia including SYNTHONY – a breath-taking fusion of electronic dance music, live orchestra, DJ’s, vocalists and immersive visuals.




Press Conference Notes: Andrew Moloney and Junto Nakatani Set for World Title Showdown on Haney-Loma ESPN-Televised PPV Prelims

LAS VEGAS (May 18, 2023) – A new junior bantamweight champion will be crowned this Saturday as part of the two-fight ESPN-televised prelims to the Haney-Loma PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Australia’s former world champion Andrew Moloney (25-2, 16 KOs) and Japan’s undefeated former WBO flyweight champion Junto Nakatani (24-0, 18 KOs)will collide for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight world championship,

Opening the telecast will be undefeated middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (8-0, 5 KOs), grandson of Muhammad Ali, in a scheduled eight-rounder against against Ohio-born veteran Danny Rosenberger (13-9-4, 4 KOs).

Moloney-Nakatani and Ali Walsh-Rosenberger will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The night will begin with an ESPN+-streamed undercard (6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT) featuring the return of undefeated lightweights Emiliano Fernando Vargas (4-0, 3 KOs) and Abdullah Mason (7-0, 6 KOs). Vargas, son of former world champion Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas, returns in four-rounder against Rafael Jasso (3-0, 1 KO), while Mason, a Cleveland-born southpaw, will see action in a six-round clash versus Desmond Lyons (8-2, 2 KOs).
 
The undercard also features unbeaten junior featherweight Floyd “Cashflow” Diaz (8-0, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder and middleweight slugger Amari Jones (8-0, 7 KOs) in a six-round tilt.
 
Haney vs. Lomachenko will stream live on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV, the event’s exclusive digital distributor in the United States, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Priced at $59.99 across all distributors, it also will be available via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Devin Haney Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, tickets are on sale now at axs.com.

At Thursday’s press conference, this is the fighters had to say:

Andrew Moloney

“It’s amazing. This is way better than anything I could ever imagine. To fight here in Las Vegas one week after my brother {Jason} became world champion in Stockton. You couldn’t write a better story. That’s why I’m excited about Saturday. This is destiny. I’m going to become world champion.”
 
“There’s no doubt that he is a good fighter. He was a world champion. He is undefeated. He has been avoided. But as you’ve seen with me and my brother, we will fight anyone.”
 
Junto Nakatani
 
“I’ve been training hard. All that is left is to demonstrate. I want to make a big impression on Las Vegas fans and all over the world. I’m confident that I will be going home with the belt.”
 
“I was able to spar with many different types of fighters. I sparred about 300 rounds. It was a lot of experience for me.”
 
“I feel that very confident because Rudy Hernandez [my trainer] is in my corner. I want to show what I’ve learned from him and Daisuke Okabe.”
 
Nico Ali Walsh
 
“This is business as usual for my first eight-round fight. I’m prepared for 12 rounds. The rounds don’t matter. l love more rounds because it’s more experience.”
 
“It’s super special. It’s not just that it will be in Las Vegas. It’s the fact that it’s at the MGM Grand. I’m standing where I used to hang with my family and my grandfather. It brings me so much nostalgia. it makes it more powerful.”
 
Danny Rosenberger 
 
“I definitely have a lot of experience. I have a lot of fights. I may have nine losses, but don’t judge me by my past. I think my experience will give me an edge. We’ve put the work in and we’re excited to go out there and put a show on.”
 
Emiliano Fernando Vargas
 
“This is a truly a blessing. It rarely gets bigger than this, fighting at MGM Grand. This is a learning experience. We learn fight by fight. Having my father with me. Having Jorge Linares there with him, I’m learning a lot, and you will see Saturday night.”
 
“I’m only 19 years old. It’s going to get scary in a couple years. Then we’re going to get these belts.”
 
Amari Jones
 
“It means a lot. it’s another big card for the third {time} in a row. It feels good. Australia was far from home. But we got the job down. Now we’re here in Las Vegas. I moved here a couple years ago. I call it home. A lot of family will come out, and I can’t wait to put on a show for them. I improved a lot in my last fight. He was tough. It brought the best out of me. I like those types of opponents because it brings out the best out of me.”
 

Saturday, May 20

Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

Devin Haney vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko, 12 Rounds, Haney’s Undisputed Lightweight Championship

Oscar Valdez vs. Adam Lopez, 10 Rounds, Junior Lightweight 

Raymond Muratalla vs. Jeremia Nakathila, 10 Rounds, Lightweight 
 

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)

Junto Nakatani vs. Andrew Moloney, 12 Rounds, Vacant WBO Junior Bantamweight World Title 

Nico Ali Walsh vs. Danny Rosenberger, 8 Rounds, Middleweight

ESPN+ (6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT)

Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Rafael Jasso, 4 Rounds, Lightweight

Floyd Diaz vs. Luis Fernando Saavedra, 8 Rounds, Junior Featherweight

Abdullah Mason vs. Desmond Lyons, 6 Rounds, Lightweight

Amari Jones vs. Pachino Hill, 6 Rounds, Middleweight




May 20: Emiliano Fernando Vargas and Abdullah Mason Headline Haney-Loma ESPN+ Undercard at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (April 24, 2023) – A pair of 19-year-old lightweight prodigies are set to return in separate bouts as part of the ESPN+-streamed undercard to the PPV main event headlined by the undisputed lightweight championship battle between Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Undefeated Las Vegas native Emiliano Fernando Vargas will take on an opponent to be named in a four-round bout, and Cleveland-born southpaw AbdullahMason will face Desmond Lyons in a six-rounder.

Vargas’ return, Mason-Lyons and additional undercard fights will be streamed live on ESPN+ beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. 

The stream will precede a two-fight ESPN telecast featuring the vacant WBO junior bantamweight world title showdown between Australia’s former world champion Andrew Moloney and Japan’s undefeated former WBO flyweight titlist Junto Nakatani. Moloney-Nakatani and the return of middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The Haney vs. Lomachenko main card will stream live on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV, the event’s exclusive digital distributor in the United States, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Priced at $59.99 across all distributors, it also will be available via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers.

The PPV undercard features a 10-round junior lightweight co-feature between two-division world champion Oscar Valdez and Adam “BluNose” Lopez in a rematch of their 2019 battle.

In the PPV opener, rising lightweight Raymond “Danger” Muratalla will take on big-punching Namibian contender Jeremia Nakathila in a 10-round clash. 

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Devin Haney Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, tickets are on sale now at axs.com.

Vargas (4-0, 3 KOs) was a seven-time national amateur champion before debuting in the pro ranks in May 2022 with a first-round knockout of Mark Salgado. In October, “El General” signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank and debuted with a highlight-reel knockout over Julio Martinez. Under the guidance of his father and trainer, former world champion Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas, the young lightweight has already scored two victories this year, a four-round decision win over Francisco Duque in February and a second-round knockout over Edgar Uvalle in April.

Mason (7-0, 6 KOs) was considered one of the brightest talents in U.S. amateur boxing before signing with Top Rank in October 2021. Mason made his pro debut in November 2021 with a second-round TKO win over Jaylan Phillips. In 2022, Mason went 5-0 with four knockouts. The southpaw phenom is coming off a first-round stoppage over Erick Garcia Benitez in April. Lyons (8-2, 2 KOs) is a 24-year-old South Carolina native who defeated Aaron Jamel Hollis via a six-round decision last May. 

In other undercard action streaming on ESPN+:

  • Junior featherweight Floyd “Cashflow” Diaz (8-0, 3 KOs) looks to shine in front of a hometown crowd in an eight-round bout against a to-be-determined foe. Diaz is coming off a fourth-round TKO win over Edgar Joe Cortes last November.
     
  • Middleweight slugger Amari Jones (8-0, 7 KOs) will make his 2023 debut in a six-round clash. In 2022, Jones traveled to Melbourne, Australia, and fought on the undercard of both Haney-George Kambosos Jr. fights.



AUDIO: Andrew Moloney Talks Junto Nakatani Title shot






VIDEO: Andrew Moloney Talks Junto Nakatani Title shot




Media Workout Notes Undisputed Lightweight King Devin Haney Prepares to Defend Crown on May 20 against Vasiliy Lomachenko at MGM Grand Garden Arena

LAS VEGAS (April 20, 2023) –Devin “The Dream” Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) is exactly one month away from the most important fight of his career.

The 24-year-old undisputed lightweight king will defend his crown against former three-division champion Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) Saturday, May 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The Haney vs. Lomachenko main card will stream live on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV, the event’s exclusive digital distributor in the United States, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Additionally, it will be available via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers and is priced at $59.99 across all distributors.

The main card will be preceded by a two-fight ESPN telecast featuring the vacant WBO junior bantamweight world title showdown between Australia’s former world champion Andrew Moloney (25-2, 16 KOs) and Japan’s undefeated former WBO flyweight champion Junto Nakatani (24-0, 18 KOs). Opening the broadcast will be undefeated middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (8-0, 5 KOs), grandson of Muhammad Ali, in a scheduled eight-rounder against a to-be-determined foe.

Moloney-Nakatani and the return of Ali Walsh will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Devin Haney Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, tickets are on sale now at axs.com.

At Thursday’s media workout in Las Vegas, this is what Haney, Moloney and Ali Walsh had to say. Also in attendance was lightweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas, who will appear on the ESPN+-streamed undercard against an opponent to be named.

Devin Haney

“Camp has been great. I’m feeling good. I’m feeling strong. My weight is good. I’m happy and in good spirts. I’m ready to go.”
 
“When we go into a fight, it’s a war. It’s combat. Two warriors going at it. We put our life on the line when we go in that ring.”
 
“He has experience and ring generalship. I know he’s training for a dirty fight. He wants to get in and get as dirty as possible in the clinch. That’s what I’ve heard that he’s training for.  We’re just preparing for whatever he brings to the table. We know the type of fight that he wants.”
 
“It’s a blessing. I’m happy that finally I get my shot at him. The tables have turned. It feels good that the tables have turned. Now I’m the guy giving him the shot. I’m happy that I get to prove myself.”
 
Andrew Moloney

“My goal is to become a two-time world champion, and I am doing everything I can to achieve my dream. Junto Nakatani is a great fighter, and I truly believe I have what it takes to defeat him.”
 
Nico Ali Walsh

“I got my start in boxing at Bill Haney’s gym, and I’m thrilled to be part of such a massive event. Fighting in my hometown is always special. I can’t wait for May 20.”

“This is my first scheduled eight-rounder, which represents another step in my professional journey. I’m dedicated to my craft, and I look forward to showing the fans how much I’ve improved since my last fight.” 




May 20: Andrew Moloney-Junto Nakatani World Title Showdown & Nico Ali Walsh’s Return Highlight Haney-Loma UNDISPUTED ESPN-Televised PPV Prelims at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (April 10, 2023) — A world title fight and the grandson of “The Greatest” take center stage on Saturday, May 20 as part of the ESPN-televised prelims to the PPV main event headlined by undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney’s title defense against former pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
 
The two-fight telecast is headlined by the vacant WBO junior bantamweight world title showdown between Australia’s former world champion Andrew Moloney and Japan’s undefeated former WBO flyweight titlist Junto Nakatani.
 
Opening the broadcast will be undefeated middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, in a scheduled eight-rounder against a to-be-determined foe.
 
Moloney-Nakatani and Ali Walsh’s return will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
 
The Haney vs. Lomachenko main card will stream live on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV, the event’s exclusive digital distributor in the United States, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Additionally, it will be available via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers and is priced at $59.99 across all distributors.
 
The PPV undercard features a 10-round junior lightweight co-feature between two-division world champion Oscar Valdez and Adam “BluNose” Lopez in a rematch of their 2019 battle.
 
In the PPV opener, rising lightweight Raymond “Danger” Muratalla will take on big-punching Namibian contender Jeremia Nakathila in a 10-round clash. 
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Devin Haney Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $104, plus applicable service charges, are on sale now at axs.com.
 
Moloney (25-2, 16 KOs) hopes to become a two-time world champion in the city where Joshua Franco upset him by unanimous decision back in June 2020. The two fought twice more, with a controversial no contest and second Franco decision victory closing the chapter on their trilogy. Following the third Franco fight in August 2021, Moloney regrouped in December 2021 with a clear points victory over Froilan Saludar. In 2022, he fought three times, including a pair of homecoming appearances on the Devin Haney-George Kambosos Jr. cards in Melbourne, Australia. Moloney, ranked No. 2 by the WBO at 115 pounds, earned the title shot with a 10-round decision over Norbelto Jimenez last October for the WBO International strap.
 
WBO No. 1 junior bantamweight contender Nakatani (24-0, 18 KOs), a 25-year-old southpaw from Inabe-gun, Mie, Japan, ranks among the hardest lighter-weight punchers in boxing. An eight-year pro, Nakatani captured the vacant WBO flyweight world title in November 2020 with an eighth-round knockout over Giemel Magramo. Nakatani defended his flyweight crown twice, bloodying and stopping Angel Acosta in four rounds and knocking out Ryota Yamauchi in eight. He vacated his title to move up to junior bantamweight and scored a one-sided decision over former unified world champion Francisco Rodriguez Jr. last November. 
 
Ali Walsh (8-0, 5 KOs) moves up to his first scheduled eight-rounder nearly two years removed from his pro debut. He made his Las Vegas debut last April at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, obliterating Alejandro Ibarra with a left-right combination in the first round. Ali Walsh righted the only blemish on his record last August, stopping Reyes Sanchez in the second round of their rematch with a body shot. Sanchez lost a majority decision to Ali Walsh in December 2021. He made his 2023 debut in February, outlasting the rugged Eduardo Ayala en route to a convincing six-round unanimous decision.
 




Jason & Andrew Moloney Bring Australian Thunder to Devin Haney-George Kambosos Jr. 2 Melbourne Undercard  

MELBOURNE, Australia (Sept. 14, 2022) — Many of Australia’s top fighting talents will enjoy the Down Under spotlight underneath the highly anticipated rematch between undisputed lightweight world champion Devin “The Dream” Haney and former champion “Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr. on Saturday, Oct. 15 (Sunday afternoon, Oct. 16 local time) at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

In the co-feature, two-time world title challenger Jason “Mayhem” Moloney takes on Thai veteran Nawaphon Kaikanha in a 12-round final eliminator for the WBC bantamweight world title.

Former world champion Andrew Moloney, Jason’s twin brother, battles Dominican contender Norbelto Jimenez in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO International junior bantamweight title. The Moloney Brothers grew up in Mitcham, a suburb of Melbourne, and will have the home soil advantage.

Haney-Kambosos 2 will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. Undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.

Jason Moloney (24-2, 19 KOs) fell short in his two shots at the bantamweight title, dropping a split decision to Emmanuel Rodriguez in 2018 and succumbing via seventh-round stoppage to Naoya Inoue in 2020. Since the Inoue setback, he has won three in a row, including a stunning third-round knockout over Aston Palicte on the Kambosos-Haney 1 undercard in June. Kaikanha (56-1-1, 46 KOs) has won 20 consecutive fights since a 2017 TKO loss to Juan Hernandez Navarrete for the vacant WBC flyweight world title. He has been campaigning at bantamweight for more than three years, winning 12 straight by stoppage. Kaikanha has never fought outside of Thailand and will make the nine-hour flight to fight Moloney in hostile territory.

“This fight is one final steps towards me achieving my dream and becoming world champion,” Jason Moloney said. “Nawaphon Kaikanha is a very experienced and capable opponent who has had 58 professional fights and only one defeat. To have this fight in Melbourne, at Rod Laver Arena, in front of all my family and friends, is amazing and gives me even more motivation. Thank you to my manager, Tony Tolj, Top Rank, and everyone involved for making this fight happen. I will grab this opportunity with both hands and earn my shot at becoming the WBC world champion.”

Andrew Moloney (24-2, 16 KOs) held the WBA 115-pound world title briefly until Joshua Franco dethroned him in June 2020, but three fights against the American standout introduced him to an international audience. Moloney has kept active since a decision defeat to Franco last August, going 3-0 and rising the junior bantamweight rankings. Like his brother, Andrew Moloney made the most of his homecoming on the Kambosos-Haney 1 bill. He busted the right eye of Alexander Espinoza, who retired on his stool following the second round. Jimenez (31-9-6, 16 KOs) is a two-time world title challenger who is unbeaten in four fights, a run that includes a spirited draw last December against four-weight world champion Donnie Nietes. He has authored a remarkable career turnaround, as he began his career 2-8-1. Since that low-water mark, Jimenez is 29-1-5 over the past 11-plus years.

“I’m hoping that an impressive win over Jimenez earns me a shot at one of the world champions next,” Andrew Moloney said. “This is exactly the type of fight I’ve been wanting, to show the improvements I have made and that I am ready to become world champion again. I’m coming to put on the best performance of my career.”

The undercard also features two of New Zealand’s world class boxing prospects, Olympic bronze medalist David Nyika (4-0, 3 KOs) and heavyweight puncher Hemi Ahio (19-0, 14 KOs), who are both returning to Melbourne after appearing on Kambosos-Haney 1 undercard. Nyika, who is campaigning at cruiserweight, is scheduled to fight in a six-rounder. Ahio looks for his sixth consecutive knockout in an eight-rounder.

Devin Haney Promotions-promoted prospect Amari Jones (7-0, 7 KOs) is set to go for knockout number eight in a six-round junior middleweight bout.

Promoted by Top Rank, Devin Haney Promotions, DiBella Entertainment, Ferocious Promotions, Duco Events, and TEG Sport, Haney Kambosos 2 tickets are on sale now via tegsport.com.au. 

ABOUT TOP RANK
Innovation has been the standard at Top Rank since it was established in 1973 by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. The boxing industry’s leading promotional company, Top Rank has shaped, developed, and promoted the careers of top international pay-per-view superstars and Hall of Famers, including Muhammad Ali, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Erik Morales, Timothy Bradley, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Tyson Fury.

Known for creating strategic collaborations between athletes, sponsors, and television networks, Top Rank has been an architect of boxing’s global growth by staging high-profile events in landmark settings around the world, including Madison Square Garden, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Wembley Arena, Yankee Stadium, Radio City Music Hall, and AT&T Stadium. Top Rank has also been the leader within the boxing industry in creating unforgettable in-arena experiences for fans and embracing 21st century technological advancements to distribute world-class fights and shoulder programming across a variety of platforms.

ABOUT DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT 
In May of 2000, Lou DiBella launched DiBella Entertainment (DBE), a full-service sports and entertainment company, which has become one of the most successful promotional entities in boxing. Serving as matchmaker, television distributor, marketing advisor, and promoter, DiBella has developed an exciting stable of championship caliber, world-class fighters, such as Sergio Martinez, Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor, Micky Ward, Deontay Wilder, and George Kambosos, among others. DBE clearly established itself as an industry leader with the successful launch of its monthly-televised “Broadway Boxing” series in November 2003. Prior to becoming a promoter, DiBella held an 11-year tenure as the Senior Vice President of HBO Sports. While at HBO, DiBella created and established the highly successful “Boxing After Dark” series, which featured some of the sport’s greatest fights. He is also a well-known fixture in the film industry, having worked as an Executive Producer for the film “Love Ranch”, as an Associate Producer on “The Fighter”, and making his acting debut in “Rocky Balboa”. He also produced or executive produced numerous documentaries, such as Viva Baseball!, Magic Man, Maravilla, Larry Flynt for President, and Tapia. The President and Managing General Partner for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, DiBella proudly wears his 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series rings, as his team is the class AA affiliate to the San Francisco Giants. In 2017, DiBella also became the CEO and Managing Owner of the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team, the AA-affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. DiBella was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020 and was inducted in June 2022, as well as the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

ABOUT VISIT VICTORIA
Visit Victoria is the State of Victoria’s primary tourism, business and major events company, leading the sector in creating, curating and communicating Victoria’s inspiring experiences to maximise visitation. Established in July 2016, Visit Victoria brings the best of Tourism Victoria, Victorian Major Events Company and Melbourne Convention Bureau under one brand that capitalises on commercial opportunities in an increasingly competitive and dynamic global tourism market. The team operates in a collaborative and agile environment that informs, connects and partners with industry and the Victorian State Government to amplify Victoria’s profile.

About TEG Sport
TEG Sport is owned by TEG, a leading global live entertainment, ticketing and technology business which operates worldwide out of seven country offices. TEG also includes TEG Live, TEG Experiences, TEG Dainty, TEG MJR, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, TEG Rockefeller, Qudos Bank Arena, Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Eventopia, Softix, TicketCharge, TicketWorld, Ticketek Singapore and Ovation.

ABOUT DUCO EVENTS
Duco Events is one of Asia Pacific’s leading events management and sports promotion companies, responsible for delivering high profile sporting events such as The Battle of Brisbane – Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn, the NRL Auckland Nines, the Brisbane Rugby Tens and the T20 Black Clash alongside numerous other innovative sports, corporate and entertainment events throughout New Zealand and Australia including Synthony – a breath-taking fusion of electronic dance music, live orchestra, DJ’s, vocalists and immersive visuals.

Life is Better LiveWhether it’s Sport, Concerts, Musicals, Theatre or Exhibitions, nothing beats the live experience!
For more information www.teg.com.au.




Jason Moloney-Aston Palicte Bantamweight Showdown & Junior Fa-Lucas Browne Heavyweight Tilt Headline Kambosos-Haney Undisputed Undercard 

MELBOURNE, Australia (May 11, 2022) — Australian two-time bantamweight world title challenger Jason “Mayhem” Moloney and New Zealand-born heavyweight contender Junior Fa hope to showcase their talents for the home region fans at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, on the undercard of the George Kambosos Jr.-Devin Haney undisputed lightweight world title showdown. The Kambosos-Haney world championship event is projected to be one of the biggest boxing events ever on Australian soil.

Moloney will battle former world title challenger Aston Palicte in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO International bantamweight title, while Fa will take on Australian fan-favorite Lucas Browne in a 10-rounder for the WBA Oceania and IBF International heavyweight title belts.

Kambosos-Haney, Moloney-Palicte, Fa-Browne, and an eight-round heavyweight fight between Hemi Ahio (18-0, 13 KOs), Auckland, New Zealand, and Joe Jones (13-4, 10 KOs), of Jersey City. N.J, will be televised LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ Saturday, June 4, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

In a swing bout, cruiserweight David Nyika (2-0, 2 KOs) will be showcased in 6/4-rounder against an opponent to be named. Nyika, from Hamilton, New Zealand, captured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. A beloved sporting hero in his country, Nyika has earned his stripes as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Following the main event, streaming live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+, world-rated junior bantamweight contender Andrew Moloney (23-2, 15 KOs) will battle Nicaragua’s Alexander Espinoza (21-3-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder, and Devin Haney Promotions-signed junior middleweight prospect Amari Jones (5-0, 5 KOs) will fight Ankush Hooda (3-0-1, 1 KO) in a scheduled six-rounder.

“When it comes to presenting an undercard worthy of its main event — the battle between world champions George Kambosos Jr. and Devin Haney for the undisputed lightweight world championship — it’s Aussie Rules.  Australian fight fans in Marvel Stadium and viewers around the globe will be treated to a feast of exciting all-action bouts, many featuring contenders and prospects from Australia, as well as New Zealand. And those not televised live on ESPN will be streamed to the U.S. on ESPN+,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.  “We are prepared to make history in Melbourne.”

Browne (30-3, 26 KOs) won the WBA Oceania title with a knockout victory over Faiga Opelu in December and is a former WBA world titlist. The 32-year-old Fa (19-1, 10 KOs) is looking to get his career back on track after losing to former world champion Joseph Parker in his last outing in February 2021. Fa has notable wins over American veterans Devin Vargas and Dominick Guinn.

“I would love nothing more than to fight for another world title, and Junior Fa is standing in my way,” Browne said. “If I can put him away early, that will send a message to the boxing world that I am far from finished. He has only lost once in his career, to Joseph Parker. I plan to hand him his second defeat.”

“I am 100 percent back myself, but I’m not taking Lucas lightly, as he is a former world champ and was stopped by Paul Gallen with some illegal blows, so I don’t count that as a loss for him,” Fa said. “He has his power, and we saw him use it to KO his last opponent. I’ll be getting the best Lucas Browne for this fight as I’m in the way of him being a contender again. It’s a huge opportunity for him and it’s going to be a tough fight.”

Moloney (23-2, 18 KOs) has re-ignited his career since an October 2020 knockout loss to pound-for-pound great Naoya Inoue. He defeated top contender Joshua Greer Jr. last August and made his 2022 debut in April with a one-sided decision over Francisco Javier Pedroza. He is currently ranked No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 by WBO. Palicte (28-4-1, 23 KOs), from Bago City, Philippines, twice challenged for world titles at junior bantamweight and has won three consecutive fights. He is world-rated No. 6 by the IBF.

Moloney said, “I am grateful to Top Rank and Lou DiBella for the opportunity to be part of the biggest event in Australian boxing history. It is a dream come true. I’m expecting a tough fight against a former world title challenger in Aston Palicte, as he has shown that he can perform at the top level. I will be coming with everything I have to deliver the impressive performance of my career. Get ready for Mayhem!”

The undercard, which will be streamed in the U.S. exclusively on ESPN+, features three highly touted Ferocious Promotions prospects: Terry Nickolas, Isaias Sette and Hussein Fayad.  Nickolas (2-1, 2 KOs), from Sydney, takes a step up in opposition experience when he rumbles with Lachlan Higgins (7-4-1, 2 KOs), from Mornington, Australia, in a six-round junior middleweight bout. Junior middleweight Sette and junior lightweight Fayad, both from Sydney, will be making their pro debuts in four-round bouts. Sette will fight Melbourne-born knockout artist Luke Gersbeck (2-0, 2 KOs), while Fayad will take on Pom Thanawut Phetkum (1-1), from Springvale, Australia. Taylah Robertson (4-1, 1 KO), from Brisbane, Australia, and Sarah Higginson (3-0-1, 1 KO), from Perth, Australia, will face off in a five-round junior bantamweight battle. Both fighters enter this bout having won their previous title fights. Robertson scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Kylie Fulmer in their Australia Female bantamweight title fight while Higginson scored her first knockout, stopping Danni Mace in the fourth round to capture the vacant Australian National Boxing Federation Australasian Female bantamweight title.            

ABOUT DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT
In May of 2000, Lou DiBella launched DiBella Entertainment (DBE), a full-service sports and entertainment company, which has become one of the most successful promotional entities in boxing. Serving as matchmaker, television distributor, marketing advisor, and promoter, DiBella has developed an exciting stable of championship caliber, world-class fighters, such as Sergio Martinez, Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor, Micky Ward, Deontay Wilder, and George Kambosos, among others. DBE clearly established itself as an industry leader with the successful launch of its monthly-televised “Broadway Boxing” series in November 2003. Prior to becoming a promoter, DiBella held an 11-year tenure as the Senior Vice President of HBO Sports. While at HBO, DiBella created and established the highly successful “Boxing After Dark” series, which featured some of the sport’s greatest fights. He is also a well-known fixture in the film industry, having worked as an Executive Producer for the film “Love Ranch”, as an Associate Producer on “The Fighter”, and making his acting debut in “Rocky Balboa”. He also produced or executive produced numerous documentaries, such as Viva Baseball!, Magic Man, Maravilla, Larry Flynt for President, and Tapia. The President and Managing General Partner for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, DiBella proudly wears his 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series rings, as his team is the class AA affiliate to the San Francisco Giants. In 2017, DiBella also became the CEO and Managing Owner of the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team, the AA-affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. DiBella was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020 and will be inducted in June 2022, as well as the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

ABOUT TOP RANK
Innovation has been the standard at Top Rank since it was established in 1973 by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. The boxing industry’s leading promotional company, Top Rank has shaped, developed, and promoted the careers of top international pay-per-view superstars and Hall of Famers, including Muhammad Ali, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Erik Morales, Timothy Bradley, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Tyson Fury.

Known for creating strategic collaborations between athletes, sponsors, and television networks, Top Rank has been an architect of boxing’s global growth by staging high-profile events in landmark settings around the world, including Madison Square Garden, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Wembley Arena, Yankee Stadium, Radio City Music Hall, and AT&T Stadium. Top Rank has also been the leader within the boxing industry in creating unforgettable in-arena experiences for fans and embracing 21st century technological advancements to distribute world-class fights and shoulder programming across a variety of platforms.

ABOUT DUCO EVENTS
Duco Events is one of Asia Pacific’s leading events management and sports promotion companies, responsible for delivering high profile sporting events such as The Battle of Brisbane – Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn, the NRL Auckland Nines, the Brisbane Rugby Tens alongside numerous other innovative sports, corporate and entertainment events throughout New Zealand and Australia including Synthony – a breath-taking fusion of electronic dance music, live orchestra, DJ’s, vocalists and immersive visuals.

ABOUT VISIT VICTORIA
Visit Victoria is the State of Victoria’s primary tourism, business and major events company, leading the sector in creating, curating and communicating Victoria’s inspiring experiences to maximise visitation. Established in July 2016, Visit Victoria brings the best of Tourism Victoria, Victorian Major Events Company and Melbourne Convention Bureau under one brand that capitalises on commercial opportunities in an increasingly competitive and dynamic global tourism market. The team operates in a collaborative and agile environment that informs, connects and partners with industry and the Victorian State Government to amplify Victoria’s profile.

About TEG Sport
TEG Sport is owned by TEG, a leading global live entertainment, ticketing and technology business which operates worldwide out of seven country offices. TEG also includes TEG Live, TEG Experiences, TEG Dainty, TEG MJR, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, TEG Rockefeller, Qudos Bank Arena, Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Eventopia, Softix, TicketCharge, TicketWorld, Ticketek Singapore and Ovation.

Life is Better LiveWhether it’s Sport, Concerts, Musicals, Theatre or Exhibitions, nothing beats the live experience! For more information www.teg.com.au.




Mikaela Mayer Defends Unified Titles with Decision over Han

Mikaela Mayer remained perfect as she dominated and won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jennifer Han at The Hanger in Costa Mesa, California.

Mayer landed 192 of 586 punches; Han was 63 of 384.

In round four, Han was bleeding from the nose. Mayer pushed the action and was never challenged as she won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91.

Mayer 129.8 lbs of Los Angeles is 17-0. Han, 128.8 lbs of El Paso, TX is 18-5-1.

Mayer said, “I feel like I did a lot of good things in there. Her movement, I think, is what she does best and it throws you off. She gets her spacing in a little bit, so I had to throw her off and stay behind the jab. Coach Al {Mitchell} reminded me to stay behind the jab, set the right hand up. She would duck sometimes and make me miss. I started to go to the body. All in all, she’s a tough, durable girl. That’s why we chose her for this fight. We knew she would push me, but I feel like I did well.
 
“I wanted to get the stoppage I feel like I hurt her in the eighth round, almost finished her. This is another reason why I’m advocating for three-minute rounds.
 
“I’ve been pretty clear that I want to go undisputed at 130. {Alycia} Baumgardner and {Hyun Mi} Choi, I’ve been calling them out. I want {either} fight, but if they’re not going to give me that fight in a timely fashion, I’m game to go up and challenge the winner of {Amanda} Serrano versus Katie Taylor.”

Santillan Dominates; Stops Barraza in 7

Santillan landed power punches from the outset and was on-top of Berraza from the beginning, Santillan started beating up and breaking down Barraza until the bout was stopped at 33 seconds of round seven.

Giovani Santillan was almost flawless in stopping Jeovannis Barraza in round seven of their 10-round welterweight bout.

Santillan, 147.4 lbs of San Diego, CA is now 29-0 with 16 knockouts. Barraza, 148.6 lbs of Barranquilla, COL 25-3.

Santillan said, “I am humbled by the support of my hometown, San Diego. Once again, they came out in force. They motivate me to do my best every time out there.

“I am going to keep working to earn a welterweight world title shot. I have a great team behind me, and when the time comes, I’ll be ready.”

Andrew Moloney Stops Mendoza in 8th

Andrew Moloney stopped Gilberto Mendoza in the eighth and final round of their junior bantamweight fight.

Mendoza was cut on his face in round five. In round eight, the pressure was starting to take its toll on Mendoza and Moloney landed two hard shots and the fight was stopped at 2:29.

Moloney, 115.8 lbs of Melbourne, AUS is 23-2 with 15 knockouts. Mendoza, 113.4 lbs of Modesto, CA is 19-12-3.

Floyd Diaz stopped Blake Quintana in round four of their six-round junior featherweight bout.

In round four, Diaz caught Quintana with a perfect right to the soler plexus that put him to a knee for the 10-count at 43 seconds.

Diaz, 122 lbs of Las Vegas is 4-0 with one knockout. Quintana, 120.6 lbs of Kenney, NEB is 4-2.

Duke Ragan remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Diuhl Olguin in a featherweight bout.

Ragan, 126.6 lbs of Cincinnati, OH won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 5-0. Olguin, 125.6 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 15-22-5.

Jason Moloney won a 10-round unanimous decision over Francisco Javier Pedroza in a bantamweight bout.

Moloney, 119.4 lbs of Melbourne, AUS won by scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice and is now 23-2. Pedroza, 119.8.8 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 17-11-2.

2021 U.S. Olympian, Ginny Fuchs made a successful pro debut with a fourth round stoppage over Randee Lynn Morales in a flyweight bout.

In round one, Fuchs dropped Morales with a combination that was punctuated with a straight left. In round three, Morales began to swelll around her left eye. Fuchs was dominant and the bout was stopped in round four after Fuchs landed a big uppercut at 24 seconds.

Fuchs, 109.8 lbs of Houston, TX is 1-0 with one knockout. Morales, 110.6 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 4-4.

Luis Alberto Lopez stopped Raul Chirino in round four of a scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.

Lopez dropped Chirino in round two, twice in round four, and ended it with a body shot at 1:08 of round four.

Lopez, 128 lbs of Mexicali. MEX is 25-2 with 14 knockouts. Chirino, 128.8 lbs of Miami, FL is 19-14.




Saturday: Andrew Moloney-Gilberto Mendoza Junior Bantamweight Battle Added to Mikaela Mayer-Jennifer Han ESPN Telecast  

COSTA MESA, Calif. (April 4, 2022) — Australia’s Andrew Moloney hopes to earn another junior bantamweight world title shot in 2022. In order to do so, he’ll have to get past an upset-minded veteran from Northern California.

Moloney will face Gilberto Mendoza in an eight-rounder this Saturday, April 9, at The Hangar at the Orange County Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. Moloney-Mendoza will open the televised tripleheader headlined by WBO/IBF junior lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer’s title defense against Jennifer Han.

Mayer-Han, the welterweight co-feature between Giovani Santillan and Jeonvanis Barraza, and Moloney-Mendoza will air live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Moloney (22-2, 14 KOs), a former WBA 115-pound world champion, lost his title via unanimous decision to Joshua Franco in June 2020. Moloney and Franco fought to a controversial no-contest in their November 2020 rematch, and their trilogy concluded last August with Franco retaining his title by decision. Moloney returned to action in December in Sydney, Australia, winning a wide points verdict over Froilan Saludar. Mendoza (19-11-3, 10 KOs), from Modesto, California, has not been stopped in more than a decade and has gone the distance with the likes of former world champions Angel Acosta and Rau’shee Warren.

Moloney said, “I’m grateful that my fight will be live on ESPN, and I will show everyone that I am a much better fighter than what they saw from me against Franco. I’m looking to make a statement in this fight and move closer to another world title.”

Undercard action will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT) and will feature the following bouts.

  • Two-time bantamweight world title challenger Jason Moloney (22-2, 18 KOs), last seen defeating top contender Joshua Greer Jr., will face Francisco Pedroza (17-10-2, 10 KOs) in a bout scheduled for 10 or 8 rounds.
     
  • Floyd “Cashflow” Diaz (3-0), the 18-year-old junior featherweight sensation from Las Vegas, steps up against the once-beaten Blake Quintana (4-1, 1 KO) in a six-rounder. Diaz turned pro in February 2021 following a storied amateur career at the junior level.
     
  • Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist Duke Ragan (4-0, 1 KO) makes his long-awaited professional return versus Diuhl Olguin (15-21-5, 10 KOs) in a six-rounder at featherweight.
     
  • Ragan’s Olympic teammate, Virginia Fuchs, makes her highly anticipated professional debut against Randee Lynn Morales (4-3, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder at flyweight. In addition to her appearance at the Tokyo Olympics, Fuchs earned a bronze medal at the 2018 World Championships and silver at the 2019 Pan American Games.
     
  • IBF No. 1 featherweight contender Luis Alberto Lopez (24-2, 13 KOs), fresh off his title eliminator knockout victory over Isaac Lowe, will fight Raul Chirino (19-13, 12 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Lopez has won seven straight fights, a streak that’s included wins over Andy Vences and Gabriel Flores Jr. 

In additional undercard action, which will take place before the ESPN+ stream (3 p.m. PT), Mexican junior welterweight prospect Lindolfo Delgado (14-0, 12 KOs) will fight an opponent to be named in an eight-rounder, and 2021 National Golden Gloves silver medalist Angel Hernandez will make his professional debut versus Victor Saravia (1-2, 1 KO) in a four-rounder at featherweight.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Englebrecht Promotions & Events, tickets starting at $60 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.socafights.com.




Andrew Moloney-Froilan Saludar & Denys Berinchyk-Isa Chaniev Headline Upcoming Cards LIVE and Exclusively on ESPN+

(Dec. 17, 2021) — From two continents, a pair of pre-Christmas fight cards will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+. It all kicks off Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Ice Palace in Brovary, Ukraine, as 2012 Olympic silver medalist Denys Berinchyk defends his WBO International lightweight title in a scheduled 12-rounder versus Isa Chaniev (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT).
 
Berinchyk (15-0, 9 KOs) has defended the WBO International belt five times, while Chaniev (15-3, 7 KOs), a former world title challenger, has won two in a row since a majority decision defeat to Pavel Malikov.

Also scheduled to appear on the card from Ukraine: Heavyweight knockout artist Vladyslav Sirenko (18-0, 15 KOs) goes for his fourth victory of 2021 in a 10-rounder against Andriy Rudenko (34-5, 20 KOs), and 2016 Olympian Dmytro Mytrofanov (11-0-1, 5 KOs) aims to extend his winning streak to 10 in an eight-round junior middleweight contest against Berikbay Nurymbetov (8-4-1, 3 KOs).
 
The international action on ESPN+ continues from Sydney, Australia, in the early morning on Tuesday, Dec. 21. Former world champion Andrew “The Monster” Moloney, fresh off his trilogy against Joshua “El Profesor” Franco, makes his homecoming ring return in a 10-round junior bantamweight bout against Froilan Saludar at The Star Event Centre in Sydney.
 
The Moloney-Saludar card will stream starting at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT. Moloney (21-2, 14 KOs) held the WBA world title briefly before embarking on his trio of fights with Franco. Moloney lost a pair of unanimous decisions to Franco, with a controversial no-contest sandwiched in between. Saludar (32-4-1, 22 KOs), a 32-year-old Filipino, is 4-1 since challenging Sho Kimura for the WBO flyweight world title in July 2018.

In other action from Australia, light heavyweight veteran Renold Quinlan (13-8, 8 KOs), will fight rising prospect Faris Chevalier (12-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-rounder, southpaw heavyweight Jackson Murray (2-0, 2 KOs) looks to make it three first-round KOs in a row versus David Tuliloa (2-3, 2 KOs) in a scheduled six-rounder, and junior lightweight Manuer Matet (3-1, 2 KOs) seeks to extend his winning streak to three versus Jye Lane Taylor (3-1, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.
 
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 17.1 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year)
at ESPN.comESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).




Franco Decisions Moloney; Retains Super Flyweight Belt

Joshua Franco retained the WBA Super Flyweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Andrew Moloney in their trilogy fight at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Franco landed 168 of 772 punches; Moloney was 107 of 730.

Franco of San Antonio, Texas won by scores of 116-112 on all cards and is now 18-1-2. Moloney of Melbourne, Australia is 21-2.

Franco said, “I had to switch it up on him. He thought I was going to put pressure on him the whole time. That wasn’t working, so I had to switch it up and go to my boxing skills. 

“I had fun with my rhythm, with my jab, my feet. I’m comfortable in there, and that’s what I did.

“We just told each other, all that talking is part of the game, part of building the fight up. He’ll be world champion again. He’s a strong fighter. Nothing but respect to him. I wish him the best in his career.”

Moloney said, “I’ll have to use this as motivation to come back stronger. It’s going to be a long road back.” 

Muhammad Ali’s Grandson; Nico Ali Walsh scores 1st round KO in Debut

The Grandson of Muhammad Ali, Nico Ali Walsh made a successful pro debut with a 1st round stoppage over Jordan Weeks in a scheduled four round middleweight bout.

Walsh dropped Weeks with a nice counter right hand. Walsh finished off Weeks with a flurry of punches, and the bout was stopped.

Walsh of Las Vegas is 1-0 with one knockout. Weeks of Lexington, SC is 4-2.

Ali Walsh said, “This lived up completely to my expectations. It’s been an emotional journey this whole ride these last couple of months.
 
“Obviously, my grandfather, I’m thinking about him so much. I miss him. It’s just an emotional journey, and thank you to Jordan Weeks and his people. Tough, tough kid. I think me and him made a little bit of history tonight.
 
“Honestly, it seems like a lot of pressure, but to me, it’s just my grandfather. To everyone else, to you guys and the crowd, he’s the greatest fighter who ever lived, maybe the greatest person. But to me, he’s the greatest grandfather.
 
“To hear those Ali chants was something that I’ll never forget. I didn’t expect that, to be honest, but it was special.”

Barboza Decisions Moran

Arnold Barboza Jr. won a 10-round unanimous decision over Antonio Moran in a junior welterweight bout.

Barboza landed 278 of 702 punches; Moran was 82 of 823.

Barboza of South El Monte, California won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92 to go to 26-0. Moran of Mexico City is 26-5-1.

Barboza said, “Moran is a true Mexican warrior. I thought I’d get the knockout, but he ate a lot of punches. My goal is to get that world title shot, but I am going to keep going until I make that a reality. I want any of the big names at 140 pounds.”

Jason Moloney won a 10-round unanimous decision over Joshua Greer in a bantamweight bout.

Moloney of Melbourne, AUS won by scores of 98-92 twice and 96-94 and is now 22-2. Greer of Chicago, IL is 22-3-2.

Trey Lippe-Morrison went the distance for the first time in his career, but remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Don Haynesworth in a heavyweight bout.

Morrison of Tulsa, Oklahoma won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 18-0. Haynesworth is 16-7-1.

Karlos Balderas stopped Fidel Cervantes in round two of a scheduled six-round junior lightweight bout.

In round one, Balderas landed a booming left hook that he followed up with three vicious shots that sent Cervantes to the deck. The assault continued in round two as Balderas continues to land blistering combinations that forced the stoppage at 2:03

Balderas, 131.6 lbs of Santa Maria, CA is now 10-1 with nine knockouts. Cervantes, 131.6 lbs of Kansas City, KS is 9-2-1.

Balderas said, “I’m back and better than ever. Even with this victory, I have things to work on. I’m going straight back to the gym to get ready for the next one. Thanks to Top Rank for the opportunity and my manager, Sam Katkovski, for making this happen. I’m only getting started.”

Andres Cortes knocked out former world title challenger Genesis Servania in the opening round of their lightweight bout.

In the opening frame, Cortes landed a perfect right that hurt Servania. Cortes followed with a perfect left hook that sent Servania to the deck and the fight was stopped at 3:00.

Cortes, 133 lbs of Las Vegas is 15-0 with eight knockouts. Servania, 132.8 lbs of the Philippines is 34-3.

World-Ranked Albert Bell remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Julio Cortez in a lightweight bout.

In round four, the right eye of Cortez began to close.

Bell, 132.8 lbs of Toledo, OH won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 19-0. Cirtez, 132.4 lbs of Ecuador is 15-3.

Bell said, “I knew he was a tough, aggressive fighter who was going to come forward all night. I’m happy with my performance, and I look forward to fighting my way to a title shot.” 

Abraham Nova remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Richard Pumicpic in a featherweight bout.

Nova, 127.2 lbs of Albany, NY won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 is now 20-0. Pumicpic, 127.1 lbs of Manila, PHL is 22-12-2.




VIDEO: Franco vs Moloney 3: Official Weigh-In




Weigh-In Results: Joshua Franco vs. Andrew Moloney 3

  •   Joshua Franco 114.2 lbs vs. Andrew Moloney 114.8 lbs 
(Franco’s WBA Super Flyweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
Judges: David Sutherland, Karen Holderfield and Mike Ross
Referee: Jack Reiss

•     Nico Ali Walsh 162.4 lbs vs. Jordan Weeks 161 lbs 
(Middleweight— 4 Rounds)

•     Arnold Barboza Jr. 139.8 lbs vs. Antonio Moran 139 lbs 
(Barboza’s WBO International Junior Welterweight Title— 10 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT)

•  Joshua Greer Jr. 117.6 lbs vs. Jason Moloney 117.6 lbs 
(vacant WBC Silver Bantamweight Title — 10 Rounds)

•   Trey Lippe Morrison 229 lbs vs. Don Haynesworth 288.6 lbs
(Heavyweight  — 6 Rounds)

   •   Karlos Balderas 131.6 lbs vs. Fidel Cervantes 131.6 lbs
 
(Junior Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

   •   Genesis Servania 132.8 lbs vs. Andres Cortes 133 lbs
 
(Junior Lightweight — 8 Rounds)

   •   Albert Bell 132.8 lbs vs. Julio Cortez 133.2 lbs
 
(Junior Lightweight — 8 Rounds)

   •   Abraham Nova 127.2 lbs vs. Richard Pumicpic 127.4 lbs
 
(Featherweight — 8 Rounds)




VIDEO: Franco vs Moloney 3: Final Press Conference




Bad Blood Ignited: Joshua Franco and Andrew Moloney Primed for Super Flyweight World Title Trilogy Tussle

TULSA, OK (August 12, 2021) — Last November, controversy reigned supreme. Andrew Moloney thought he’d done enough to snatch the WBA super flyweight world title from Joshua Franco. Moloney contended that numerous jabs caused swelling under Franco’s right eye, which forced the fight to be stopped after two rounds. Following a nearly 30-minute video review, the referee’s decision of a headbutt was upheld. Franco retained his title, the title he won from Moloney via decision nearly five months prior.

After all the trash talk and ensuing tension, Franco and Moloney are set to meet in a trilogy showdown Saturday at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Moloney hopes to right what he feels was an injustice, while Franco is out to prove their first fight was not an aberration.

The special feature directly before Franco-Moloney 3 will showcase the pro debut of middleweight Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, who will take on Jordan Weeks in a four rounder. In the 10-round co-feature, which will open the main telecast, undefeated junior welterweight contender Arnold Barboza Jr. will battle Mexican veteran Antonio Moran. 

At Thursday’s final press conference, this is what the combatants had to say.

Joshua Franco

“It means everything to me. This fight means a lot and that’s why I prepared myself the very best in the gym. Winning this fight and making the statement I want to make will open up bigger doors for me. There were no issues at camp. Camp went very well, very good, so I’m ready to go. “

“Expect a great fight, a great show, fireworks, and expect for me to make a statement Saturday night.” 

“{The second fight} was only two rounds. Two rounds don’t really show much. To me, the fight was going the same way as the first fight, but that’s why we’re making the third fight, to take care of business. I’m ready for that. “

Andrew Moloney

“I think you can expect a great fight. I know Franco is going to be more determined this time around after the criticism he’s copped since that last fight and the whole world knowing that I should be the champ right now. But I’m coming even more determined with more to prove, and as I said, I’m doing this for my family and this is going to be a great night and I’m going to come out with that belt like I should’ve.”

“It’s hard to put into words how much this means to me. I feel like my whole life I’ve dedicated to this sport. The last 18 years I’ve given this sport everything I’ve got and all the hard work and all the sacrifices I’ve made will all be worth it when I become two-time champion on Saturday night. And this is for my family as well. We’ve locked ourselves in a house for training camp and have been very safe to make sure that nothing gets in the way of this fight happening, and it’s a pleasure to be back over here in America. I really feel like this is my second home now. I feel very comfortable here and look forward to putting on a great show for everyone on Saturday night.”

“I know 100 percent deep down inside there was no headbutt. The whole world knows there was no head clash, and if you watch the replay, you’ll see at 1:36 left in round one, I land a jab that shuts his eye. I knew that on the night, and I’m even more sure of it now. “

Nico Ali Walsh

“I feel like everyone puts this pressure on me because of my grandfather being who he was, but to me, it’s just my grandfather. To everyone else, it’s the Greatest of All Time. I believe that too, but to me, it’s just my grandfather. I think he’d be most excited that I’m being promoted by Bob Arum and Top Rank. The tradition of Arum promoting my grandfather to now promoting me is pretty amazing, so he’d have a lot to say about that. It’s been amazing.

“I’ve been training with SugarHill and BB Hudson, and we’re having a great time in the gym. I’m learning a lot, and it’s been quite the experience. I’m not surprised with the attention. I know my grandfather is a pretty special person to a lot of people. It’s pretty good hearing all the stories, knowing that my grandfather has so much love and admiration and people are carrying that onto me. That’s great, but it doesn’t affect my preparation. I would be training the same if I was Joe Schmo on the street.” 

Arnold Barboza Jr.

“I feel good. Happy to be here. {Moran is a} tough fighter. He’s fought really good opposition, he has good experience, and I’m looking forward to this. I really am.”

On the Saucedo fight

“I fought a different fight than people expected. It’s a fight I made that way. Could’ve boxed the whole fight, but I wanted to prove a point that if someone wants to stay and try to bang with me, then I can bang. And if they want to box, I can do that, too. That’s how I came up. If you look at the tape now, it’s like, what can you do against me?”

“I think I’m an overall good fighter now. It’s respect. I respect my opponent. I never look past my opponent. I’m all about respect and I respect him. Out of respect for him, I’m not going to look past this fight.”

Antonio Moran

“You learn more from defeats than victories, I’ve learned a lot from those two fights (against Devin Haney and Jose Pedraza). I’m looking forward to better challenges. I feel stronger at 140. At 135, I was struggling too much. I feel stronger.”

“He’s a great fighter. We’ve been working on speed and counterpunching and we’ll be moving and we will have a good night.”

SATURDAY, August 14, 2021

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Joshua Franco vs. Andrew Moloney 3, 12 rounds, Franco’s WBA Super Flyweight World Title

Nico Ali Walsh vs. Jordan Weeks, 4 rounds, middleweight

Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Antonio Moran, 10 rounds, Barboza’s WBO International junior welterweight title

ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

Joshua Greer Jr. vs. Jason Moloney
, 10 rounds, vacant WBC Silver bantamweight title

Trey Lippe Morrison vs. Don Haynesworth, 6 rounds, heavyweight

Karlos Balderas vs. Fidel Cervantes, 6 rounds, junior lightweight

Genesis Servania vs. Andres Cortes, 8 rounds, junior lightweight

Albert Bell vs. Julio Cortez, 8 rounds, junior lightweight

Abraham Nova vs. Richard Pumicpic, 8 rounds, featherweight




August 14: Genesis Servania-Andres Cortes, Junior Lightweight Contender Albert Bell and Abraham Nova Added to Joshua Franco-Andrew Moloney 3 Card in Tulsa LIVE on ESPN+

TULSA, OK (Aug. 5, 2021) — After more than 18 months out of the ring, Filipino all-action star Genesis Servania hopes to snatch an undefeated record in his long-awaited return. Servania will battle Las Vegas native Andres Cortes in an eight-round junior lightweight bout Saturday, Aug. 14 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
 
Servania-Cortes bolsters the Titanic Tulsa Tripleheader featuring the third fight between WBA super flyweight world champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco and Australia’s former world champion Andrew “The Monster” Moloney, unbeaten junior welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr. against Antonio Moran, and the pro debut of middleweight Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali.
 
In other undercard action, Toledo’s unbeaten junior lightweight contender Albert Bell will fight Ecuadorian veteran Julio Cortez in an eight-rounder, while Abraham Nova returns from an injury to fight an opponent to be named in an eight-round featherweight tilt. The ESPN+ undercard stream starts at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, preceding the tripleheader on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Tony Holden Productions and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and can be purchased at tickets.hardrockcasinotulsa.com and the Box Office at 918-384-ROCK (7625).
 
Servania (34-2, 16 KOs) is 5-1 with four knockouts since falling short in a 2017 Fight of the Year contender to Oscar Valdez for the WBO featherweight world title. He moved up to junior lightweight following a February 2019 decision loss to top junior featherweight contender Carlos Castro. Cortes (14-0, 7 KOs) last fought May 22 on the Josh Taylor-Jose Ramirez undercard and notched a unanimous decision over Eduardo Garza.
 
Bell (18-0, 5 KOs), the WBO No. 8 junior lightweight contender, is 6-0 since signing with Top Rank in 2018. He authored his signature victory in June 2019 when he outboxed Andy Vences over 10 rounds. Bell fought in April in Tulsa and turned back the stiff challenge of Manuel Rey Rojas. Cortez (15-2, 11 KOs) is unbeaten as a junior lightweight and has won two straight bouts since a split decision defeat in February 2020.

Nova (19-0, 14 KOs) has been out of action since June 2020, when he figured out the tricky Avery Sparrow en route to a 10-round decision win. Ranked in the top 15 by two of the major sanctioning organizations, Nova will now set his sights on climbing the featherweight rankings. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Albany, N.Y., Nova had knocked out four straight foes before the Sparrow fight.

In other action: 
2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (9-1, 8 KOs) has an opponent for his Top Rank debut in a six-rounder at junior lightweight: Fidel Cervantes (9-1-1, 4 KOs), a native of Kansas whose only loss came by majority decision.
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 13.8 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.comESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).




August 14: Joshua Franco-Andrew Moloney III, Arnold Barboza Jr.-Antonio Moran and the Pro Debut of Nico Ali Walsh Confirmed for Titanic Tripleheader at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa

TULSA, OK (July 9, 2021) — Nine months after boxing’s most controversial conclusion of 2020, WBA super flyweight world champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco and Australia’s former world champion Andrew “The Monster” Moloney will settle the score in the third chapter of their rivalry Saturday, Aug. 14 at Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
 
In the 10-round co-feature, undefeated WBO International junior welterweight champion Arnold Barboza Jr. will take on Antonio “Tono” Moran. 
 
The four-round middleweight special attraction will see the highly anticipated professional debut of Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, against an opponent to be named.
 
This titanic Tulsa tripleheader will be televised live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 
Andrew’s twin brother, bantamweight contender Jason “Mayhem” Moloney, will fight Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer Jr. in a 10-rounder that will be among the undercard fights streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ before the televised tripleheader. Tulsa fan-favorite Trey Lippe Morrison (17-0, 17 KOs) and emerging junior lightweight prospect Karlos Balderas (9-1, 8 KOs) will fight on the undercard in six-round bouts, while Tulsa-born heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (3-0, 3 KOs) will see action in a four-rounder.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Tony Holden Productions and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets starting at $49.50 go on sale Tuesday, July 13 at 10 a.m. CST and can be purchased at tickets.hardrockcasinotulsa.com and at the Box Office at 918-384-ROCK (7625).
 
“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.
 
Franco (17-1-2, 8 KOs), from San Antonio, Texas, upset Moloney (21-1, 14 KOs) via unanimous decision last June to win the world title. In their November 2020 rematch, Moloney dominated Franco over the first two rounds before swelling under Franco’s right eye prompted the fight to be stopped. Many ringside observers believed a punch caused the damage, which would’ve resulted in a TKO victory for Moloney. The referee in Nevada determined the swelling came from a headbutt, and following a nearly 30-minute replay review, a no contest meant Franco retained his title. The controversy did not subside, and less than one month after the disputed conclusion, the WBA mandated a third fight.
 
“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!”
 
Moloney said, “I’ve had to wait nine months to once again fight for what should have been mine back in November. 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.”
 
Barboza (25-0, 10 KOs), from South El Monte, California, is the WBO No. 3 contender, a 29-year-old who has steadily risen the ranks since turning pro more than eight years ago. After a 3-0 2019 campaign that saw him knock out former world champion Mike Alvarado, he notched a pair of significant wins in 2020 with decisions over Tony Luis and Alex Saucedo. Barboza now readies for Moran (26-4-1, 19 KOs), a native of Mexico City who is 2-0-1 since a 2019 defeat to Devin Haney.
 
Barboza said, “I’ve been in the gym since the Saucedo fight, and I’m looking forward to this one. 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.”
 
Jason Moloney (21-2, 18 KOs) is a two-time bantamweight world title challenger who attempted to take down pound-for-pound great Naoya “Monster” Inoue last October. Inoue prevailed by seventh-round knockout, but Moloney returns to action intent on etching his name among the division’s top contenders. Chicago native Greer (22-2-2, 12 KOs), who climbed the world rankings following a string of dramatic knockouts, is 0-1-1 in his last two bouts and eager to recapture the form that saw him knock out seven straight foes from 2017-2019.
 
Jason Moloney said, “I’m excited to finally be back after what will be nearly 10 months out of the ring. 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.”
 
Greer said, “I’m dialed 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.”




FOLLOW CRAWFORD – BROOK LIVE!!

Follow all the action as Terence Crawford defends the WBO Welterweight title against former champion Kell Brook.  The action begins at 10 PM ET / 9 PM CT / 3 AM Sunday in England with a rematch for the WBA Super Flyweight title as Joshua Franco defends the title against Andrew Moloney

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED; THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

12 ROUNDS–WBO WELTERWEIGHT TITLE–TERENCE CRAWFORD (36-0, 27 KOS) VS KELL BROOK (39-2, 27 KOS)
ROUND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOTAL
CRAWFORD* 9 9 9 TKO 27
BROOK 10 10 10 30

Round 1: Jab from Brook..Jab-Right hand..Right to head..Left from Jab..

Round 2 Jab from Brook..Right uppercut..  Brook outlanding Crawford 20-13

Round 3 Crawford jabbing from southpaw stance..Brook lands a right..Right lead..Left from Crawford..Right from Brook..Right from Crawford..Swelling around the right eye of Crawford

Round 4 RIGHT HOOK AND BROOK STAGGERS INTO THE ROPES FOR A KNOCKDOWN..HUGE LEFT AND RIGHT…BROOK HURT,,,FIGHT OVER

12 ROUNDS–WBA SUPER FLYWEIGHT TITLE–JOSHUA FRANCO (17-1-2, 8 KOS) VS ANDREW MOLONEY (21-1, 14 KOS)
ROUND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOTAL
FRANCO 9 9 18
MOLONEY 10 10 20

Round 1 Moloney jabbing..2 rights to the body..Franco swelling over right eye from accidental headbutt…Moloney outlands Franco 25-11

Round 2 Referee Calls in Doctor to look at Franco’s eye which is swelling badly..Good combination from Moloney

Round 3 Doctor looking at eye ….FIGHT STOPPED…FIGHT RULED NO DECISION…Commission now looking at replays as it appears there was no headclash in round 1….RULED NO-CONTEST




Weigh-In Results: Crawford-Brook and Franco-Moloney 2 World Title Doubleheader from The Bubble

(ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT)

    •     Terence Crawford 146.4 lbs vs. Kell Brook 147 lbs 
(Crawford’s WBO Welterweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
 Judges/Referee: Patricia Morse Jarman, Dave Moretti and Benoit Roussel / Tony Weeks

•   Joshua Franco 114.5 lbs vs. Andrew Moloney 114.7 lbs 
(Franco’s WBA Super Flyweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
Judges/Referee: Steve Weisfeld, Tim Cheatham and Lisa Giampa / Russell Mora

(ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT)

•   Joshua Greer Jr. 118.9 lbs vs. Edwin Rodriguez 118.9 lbs 
(Bantamweight— 8 Rounds)

•   Tyler Howard 161.2 lbs vs. KeAndrae Leatherwood 161.9 lbs 
(Middleweight  — 8 Rounds)

•    Duke Ragan 126 lbs vs.  Sebastian Gutierrez 126.3 lbs 
(Featherweight — 4 Rounds)

•        Vegas Larfield 119 lbs vs.  Juan Alberto Flores 117.3 lbs 
(Bantamweight — 4 Rounds)

•            Raymond Muratalla 137.3 lbs vs.  Luis Porozo 135.2 lbs 
(Lightweight — 6 Rounds)




LIVE VIDEO: Crawford vs Brook, Franco vs Moloney 2: Zoom Press Conference




November 14: Knockout King Elvis Rodriguez to Return on the Terence Crawford-Kell Brook Undercard LIVE on ESPN from MGM Grand Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (November 5, 2020) — The knockout king of the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble, junior welterweight southpaw Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez, hopes to put an exclamation point on his 2020 Prospect of the Year campaign.

Rodriguez will fight an opponent to be named in an eight-rounder Saturday, Nov. 14 on the world title doubleheader undercard featuring WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford against former welterweight world champion Kell Brook. The co-main event will showcase the WBA super flyweight world title rematch between champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco and the man he defeated to win the title, Andrew “The Monster” Moloney.

Crawford-Brook, Franco-Moloney 2 and the return of Rodriguez will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET, with undercard action to stream live on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

“No prospect in boxing has shown more this year than Elvis Rodriguez, who keeps knocking out opponents in devastating fashion. It’s getting harder and harder to find people who will fight this kid,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “With two world title fights, plus a bunch of our top young fighters in action, Nov. 14 is a stacked card from top to bottom.”

Rodriguez (10-0-1, 10 KOs) has won all five of his 2020 bouts by stoppage, including four knockouts in three rounds or less inside the MGM Grand Bubble since July 2. He last fought Oct. 9 and knocked out veteran Cameron Krael in three rounds, only the second time Krael had been knocked out in 37 pro bouts. The Freddie Roach-trained Rodriguez has won eight in a row since an accidental headbutt-induced technical draw in his third pro bout.

“This is going to be my fifth fight in ‘The Bubble’ and my sixth of the year. I feel grateful for the opportunities Top Rank has given me and the great effort of my team to keep me fit and ready,” Rodriguez said. “I would like to be recognized as Prospect of the Year. It would be a great recognition of my talent, effort, sacrifice, and discipline that I have dedicated to this sport for the last 12 years of my life. It would be a great recognition for my team and my country because I believe that I would be the first Dominican boxer named Prospect of the Year. Representing the Dominican flag is a source of pride for me. I am committed to bringing a world title to my country.”

In undercard action on ESPN+:

Joshua Greer Jr. (22-2-1, 12 KOs) vs. Edwin Rodriguez (11-5-1, 5 KOs) 
8 Rounds, Bantamweight

Greer saw his 19-bout winning streak come to end on June 16, when he was knocked down twice en route to a 10-round majority decision defeat to “Magic” Mike Plania. The Chicago native, who is still ranked in the top 10 by two of the major sanctioning organizations, hopes to return to form in his second Bubble appearance. Rodriguez’s record belies his talent, as he is 3-1-1 in his last five bouts, all against previously undefeated foes. He last fought in August 2019, upsetting the then-unbeaten Saul Sanchez via 10-round split decision.

Tyler Howard (18-0, 11 KOs) vs. KeAndrae Leatherwood (22-7-1, 13 KOs)
8 Rounds, Middleweight

“Hercules” Howard, from Crossville, Tenn., returns after more than a year away from the ring. He is 4-0 with two knockouts since inking a promotional deal with Top Rank and is seeking his first stoppage since a one-round demolition of Isiah Seldon in November 2018. Leatherwood is a 12-year pro who has fought the likes of former world champions Andy Lee and Caleb Truax. He last boxed in December 2019 and was stopped by top prospect Christian Mbilli in eight rounds.

Raymond Muratalla (10-0, 8 KOs) vs. TBA
8/6 Rounds, Lightweight

Muratalla, from Fontana, Calif., aims for his sixth consecutive knockout win and second inside The Bubble. The younger brother of unbeaten bantamweight prospect Gabriel Muratalla, he last fought Aug. 29 and knocked out Cesar Valenzuela in the seventh round.

Duke Ragan (2-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA
4 Rounds, Featherweight

Ragan, a former U.S. amateur star from Cincinnati, Ohio, made his professional debut Aug. 22 with a first-round knockout and followed that up with a decision victory over former UFC title challenger John Moraga on Oct. 3. 

Vegas Larfield (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Juan Alberto Flores (2-0-1)
4 Rounds, Bantamweight

Larfield, from Brisbane, Australia, trained with Andrew and Jason Moloney for this bout and is coming off a first-round stoppage Aug. 26 in his professional debut. Flores has won two consecutive bouts since a four-round draw in his professional debut.

Use the hashtags #CrawfordBrook and #FrancoMoloney2 to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit www.toprank.comwww.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing;twitter.com/ESPNRingside.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to 8.5 million subscribers, offering fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPNplus.com,ESPN.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month. 




This Bud’s Back: Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford Battles Kell Brook November 14 LIVE on ESPN and ESPN Deportes

(October 17, 2020) — The pound-for-pound king is set to reclaim his throne. WBO welterweight world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford will defend his title against former welterweight world champion Kell Brook in a special edition of Top Rank on ESPN Saturday, Nov. 14.
 
In the world championship co-feature, Joshua “El Profesor” Franco will defend his WBA super flyweight title against former world champion Andrew “The Monster” Moloney in a rematch of their June bout, won by Franco via decision.
 
Promoted by Top Rank and sponsored by GEICO, ESPN and ESPN Deportes will televise Crawford-Brook and Franco-Moloney 2 beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while a full slate of undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Venue information for Crawford-Brook will be announced soon.
 
“Kell Brook is one of the elite fighters in the world. He has faced so many of the top boxers,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He is a real test for pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford. This is another premium fight that will be available to boxing fans for no extra charge live on ESPN.”
 
Crawford (36-0, 27 KOs), the pride of Omaha, Neb., has reigned as WBO welterweight world champion since June 9, 2018, when he stopped Jeff “The Hornet” Horn in nine one-sided rounds. He has since defended that world title three times, including a sixth-round demolition over former unified junior welterweight champion Amir “King” Khan in April 2019. Crawford has not fought since last December’s ninth-round TKO over Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas and will enter the ring against Brook coming off a career-long 11-month layoff. He has won seven straight bouts by knockout since a one-sided decision over Viktor Postol in a July 2016 junior welterweight unification bout. Prior to his welterweight world title campaign, Crawford was the lineal lightweight and undisputed junior welterweight world champion.
 
Brook (39-2, 27 KOs), from Sheffield, England, is a former welterweight world champion who made three successful defenses of the IBF title he won from Shawn Porter in 2014. His only defeat at welterweight came to Errol Spence Jr. in May 2017, a competitive fight that ended in the 11th round after he suffered a broken orbital bone. Since the Spence defeat, “The Special One” has won three bouts at junior middleweight, including February’s seventh-round stoppage over Mark DeLuca. Brook has long campaigned for the Crawford bout, and earlier this year, he ran into Crawford at the Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury II weigh-in.
 
“You gonna make weight?” Crawford asked Brook.
“You’re running out of opponents,” Brook responded. “I’m here.”
 
Brook said, “I would just like to say a big thank you to Bob Arum and his team at Top Rank and to Baz Kandiara and my management team for getting the ?ght made. Thank you also to Terence Crawford and his team. It’s a fantastic ?ght, a proper ?ght for the fans to get excited about. I’m sure it’s one that will have viewers on the edge of their seats, whichever side of the pond they’re from.
 
“I’ve been told there are people writing off my chances, questioning my age, and my ability to make the weight. Well, let them talk. Some people focus on reading headlines, I focus on making headlines. Those people writing me off as a big underdog? No problem. I guess this big dog will be making a few people richer during a difficult time.
 
“Terence isn’t too much younger than me. They know that I’ve never ducked a challenge, and they should know that I’ve never failed to make 147 on the scales. With age comes experience. My knowledge and experience make me a di?erent ?ghter, a more mature ?ghter. Couple that with a happy fighter, and you’ve got yourself a dangerous fighter.”
 
Moloney (21-1, 14 KOs), from Melbourne, Australia, won the interim world title with a knockout over Elton Dharry last November and was subsequently elevated to world champion. In his first world title defense, June 23 from the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble, he was upset via unanimous decision at the hands of Franco (17-1-2, 8 KOs), a native of San Antonio, Texas, who was previously best known for his action-packed trilogy with Oscar Negrete.

Said Moloney, “I am extremely excited and motivated for my rematch with Franco. I’m very grateful that Top Rank has given me the opportunity to get my revenge and reclaim my world title. I have been working extremely hard every day to make sure that world title is strapped back around my waist on Nov. 14.”
 
Use the hashtags #CrawfordBrook and #FrancoMoloney2 to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit www.toprank.comwww.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing;twitter.com/ESPNRingside.
 




Franco decisions Moloney to win Super Flyweight Title

Joshua Franco won the WBA Super Flyweight world title with a 12-round unanimous decision over defending champion Andrew Moloney at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Moloney raced out and took most of the first half of the fight as he featured many body shots. The 2nd half of the fight was all Franco as he started landing his combinations at both mid-range and was started to wear Moloney down on the inside.

In round 10, a right hand cut Moloney under his left eye. In round 11, a combination that was highlighted by a left hand sent Moloney to the canvas. That proved to be the difference as Franco won by scores of 115-112 twice and 114-113 twice.

Franco, 115 lbs of San Antonio, TX is now 17-1-2. Moloney, 114.6 lbs of Kingscliff, AUS is 21-1.

“After the fourth round, I gained the momentum and figured him out. I always knew this was possible,” Franco said. “I wasn’t nervous when the decision was being read. I knew I’d done enough to win this fight. My coach, Robert Garcia, had me ready. I’m going home with the belt.”

“I always knew this was possible,” said Joshua Franco. “I knew the hard work would pay off in the end. Thank you to Golden Boy for the support and the opportunity. You were behind me 100% and now you have a new world champ.”

“After the first fourth round, I started to gain momentum and figure him out. The knockdown in the eleventh round was crucial. I needed it. But I slowly started to wear him down. By the end of the fight, I knew I had done enough to win. My coach, Robert Garcia, prepared me well.”

“Tonight, the first world title fight since the COVID-19 pandemic began took place, and a Golden Boy fighter stepped up to the challenge, entered enemy territory and dominated,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Franco’s victory is special for us as he was part of an impressive group of young fighters that we signed back in 2015 as we were rebuilding our stable. Five years later, our mutual hard work has paid off. From debuting on our LA Fight Club series to headlining on national television, Franco has developed into a world champion.”

“It just wasn’t my night tonight,” Moloney said. “This was not the best version of Andrew Moloney, but full credit to Joshua Franco. He deserved to win the title with his effort. He closed the fight strong, like a true champion.
 
“I’ll be back. One loss won’t define me.”

Christopher Diaz won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jason Sanchez in a featherweight fight.

Diaz, 124.9 lbs of Barranquitas, PR won by scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93 to go to 26-2. Sanchez, 126 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 15-2.

“I can fight at featherweight, or I can make 122 pounds. Whatever Top Rank wants, but I’m ready for a big fight in either weight division. I am a completely different and improved fighter from the one who fought Shakur Stevenson last year,” Diaz said. “I worked on my power in the gym. My coaches, Nelson Rodriguez and Freddie Roach, got me ready for tonight.”

In a battle of undefeated junior welterweights, Miguel Contreras won a six-round unanimous decision over Rolando Vargas.

Vargas was cut on his nose in round two from a clash of heads.

Contreras, 137.4 lbs of Bakersfield, CA won by 58-56 scores on all cards to take him to 11-0. Vargas, 137 lbs of Milwaukee, WI is 5-1.

Helaman Olguin won a six-round majority decision over Adam Stewart in a heavyweight bout.

In round one, Stewart was cut around the right eye from a clash of heads.

Olguin, 290 lbs of South Jordan, Utah won by sores of 58-56 twice, and 57-57, and is now 8-3. Stewart, 231.1 lbs of Phoenix, AZ 8-1-1.




VIDEO: Moloney vs Franco: Weigh-In






Weigh-In Results: Moloney vs. Franco

  •     Andrew Moloney 114.6 lbs ??vs. Joshua Franco 115 lbs ??
(WBA Super Flyweight World Title — 12 Rounds)

    •   Christopher Diaz 124.9 lbs ?? vs.  Jason Sanchez 126 lbs ??
(Featherweight — 10 Rounds)

• Joseph Adorno 136 lbs ??vs. Alexis del Bosque 134.2 lbs ??
(Lightweight — 8 Rounds)

          • Rolando Vargas 137 lbs ?? vs. Miguel Contreras 137.4 lbs ??
(Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

    • Helaman Olguin 290 lbs ?? vs. Adam Stewart 232.1 lbs ??
(Heavyweight — 6 Rounds)




From Australia to the MGM Grand: Identical Twins Andrew & Jason Moloney Set For Las Vegas Debuts Inside The Bubble

LAS VEGAS (June 16, 2020) — From Down Under to “The Bubble,” Australia’s Moloney twins — Andrew and Jason — are set for their Las Vegas debuts.

Andrew “The Monster” Moloney will make the first defense of his WBA super flyweight world title Tuesday, June 23 from the MGM Grand Conference Center—Grand Ballroom against Joshua “El Professor” Franco (ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 8 p.m. ET). Moloney-Franco will be the first men’s boxing world title bout since February 29.

The fights continue from the MGM Grand Thursday, June 25, when WBO No. 2 bantamweight contender Jason Moloney will face Leonardo Baez in a 10-rounder (ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 8 p.m. ET).

Week 3 of the Top Rank on ESPN summer series concludes from TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City on Saturday, June 27, when WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt will face Eleazar “Tronco” Valenzuela in a 10-round lightweight bout (ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 11 p.m. ET).

“It’s very exciting times as Australia’s only world champion, Andrew Moloney, will defend his title against a tough warrior in Joshua Franco,” said Tony Tolj, who manages the Moloney brothers. “Jason has trained hard and is ready for world championship opportunities. Both are in tough fights that the fans are going to love. We want to fight the best. It’s a great honor to headline back-to-back shows, especially at MGM Grand.”

June 23
MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom

Main Event
Andrew Moloney (21-0, 14 KOs) vs. Joshua Franco (16-1-2, 8 KOs)
12 Rounds, Moloney’s WBA Super Flyweight World Title

Andrew Moloney has won four consecutive bouts by knockout, including an eighth-round stoppage over Miguel Gonzalez on Gonzalez’s home turf in Chile. He captured the WBA interim world title last November, stopping Elton Dharry on cuts following eight one-sided rounds. The WBA elevated Moloney to full champion in March, and he will defend his strap against Franco, a San Antonio native who is best known for his action-packed trilogy against Oscar Negrete. Franco, who has gone five bouts since his lone professional defeat, went 1-0-2 versus Negrete.

“It’s a dream come true for me to be headlining at the MGM Grand for my first world title defense,” Andrew Moloney said. “Thank you to Top Rank and my team for giving me this amazing opportunity. Franco is a great fighter, but I believe I am faster, more powerful, and too hungry to let anyone take this belt away from me.”

Said Franco: “I have been waiting all my life to fight for a world title. I know that all my hard work will pay off when I step into the ring and become a world champion. These are tough times for the world, so I’m grateful to have this opportunity when the world has come to a halt. I will do my best to entertain the fans during this time and make my training team, promoter and everyone in San Antonio proud. This June 23, class will be in session, and everyone’s invited to watch on ESPN.”

Co-Feature
Christopher Diaz (25-2, 16 KOs) vs. Jason Sanchez (15-1, 8 KOs)
10 Rounds, Featherweight

In a clash of former world title challengers, the winner will re-enter the world title picture. Diaz is 2-1 since a decision loss to Masayuki Ito for the vacant WBO junior lightweight world title. Following the Ito loss, Diaz moved down in weight to compete as a featherweight. Sanchez gave a valiant effort in a June 2019 decision loss to then-WBO featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez. The Albuquerque native rebounded with a knockout win over Adeilson Dos Santos last October.

“I know that winning this next fight opens the door to a world title shot, and I have worked hard to make it happen and finally achieve my dream of becoming a world champion,” Diaz said. “Jason Sanchez is a world-level opponent. His only defeat is against Oscar Valdez — and he is a seasoned Mexican warrior — but I am coming prepared for everything Sanchez will bring to the ring.”

Undercard

Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (14-0-1, 12 KOs), who is coming off an eight-round draw in January, will look to get back to his winning ways against Alexis del Bosque (17-5, 9 KOs) in an eight-rounder at lightweight.

In a junior welterweight battle set for six rounds, Miguel Contreras (10-0, 6 KOs), from Bakersfield, California, will fight 20-year-old knockout artist Rolando Vargas (5-0, 5 KOs).

Helaman Olguin (7-3, 3 KOs), winner of five straight, will take on Adam Stewart (8-0-1, 5 KOs) in a six-rounder at heavyweight.

June 25
MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom

Main Event
Jason Moloney (20-1, 17 KOs) vs. Leonardo Baez (18-2, 9 KOs)
10 Rounds, Bantamweight

Jason Moloney came up a hair short in his bid for the IBF bantamweight world title in October 2018, losing a disputed split decision to Emmanuel Rodriguez. He has knocked out three opponents since, most recently blitzing Dixon Flores in two rounds on the same card as his brother’s victory over Elton Dharry. Baez, from Mexicali, Mexico, has won six in a row, most recently shutting out former interim world champion Moises Flores over eight rounds.

“My opponent, Leonardo Baez, is a good fighter who comes forward and puts on a lot of pressure,” Jason Moloney said. “I have been working extremely hard to make sure this is the most spectacular performance of my career and to prove that I am ready for another shot at a world title.”

Said Baez: “I’m very happy for this opportunity. I had already been training, so that’s why I’m ready to come back. I’m confident in my preparation. I know I will walk away with my hand raised.” 

Co-Feature
Abraham Nova (18-0, 14 KOs) vs. Avery Sparrow (10-1, 3 KOs)
10 Rounds, Junior Lightweight 

Nova made his Top Rank debut in January, registering a fourth-round knockout. He returns for his “Bubble” debut against Sparrow, a battle-hardened Philadelphia native who is coming off a March 2019 decision victory over former world title challenger Hank Lundy. Nova, born in Puerto Rico and raised in Albany, New York, was one of Teofimo Lopez’s chief sparring partners before Lopez’s lightweight title-winning effort over Richard Commey last December.

Undercard

Orlando “El Zurdo de Oro” González (14-0, 10 KOs), from Aguadilla Puerto Rico, will face off against Ecuadorian veteran Luis Porozo (15-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder at junior lightweight. A southpaw puncher, Gonzalez has registered three knockouts in his last four fights.

June 27
TV Azteca Studios

Main Event
Miguel Berchelt (37-1, 33 KOs) vs. Eleazar Valenzuela (21-13-4, 16 KOs)

Berchelt, the long-reigning WBC super featherweight kingpin, will return in his first non-title bout since 2015. A native of Cancun, Mexico, he has notched five consecutive knockouts, including a devastating fourth-round stoppage over former world champion Jason Sosa in his last outing. Valenzuela is 8-3 with one no contest in his last 12 bouts.

Undercard

Omar “Pollo” Aguilar (17-0, 16 KOs), a 21-year-old punching prodigy from Ensenada, Mexico, will fight Dante “Crazy” Jardon (32-6, 23 KOs) in a 10-rounder at junior welterweight.

In a 10-round junior lightweight bout, Mauricio “Bronco” Lara (18-2, 12 KOs) will fight unbeaten Tijuana native Humberto Galindo (12-0-1, 9 KOs).

Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (14-0, 12 KOs) will look to extend his knockout streak to eight in an eight-round featherweight battle against Luis Guzman (8-14, 1 KO).

Junior welterweight prospect Ruben “Pollito” Aguilar (9-0, 7 KOs), who has five consecutive first-round knockouts, will fight Emanuel Herrera (7-10, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.




Elton Dharry planning a major upset Down Under Friday in WBA Interim super flyweight title fight against undefeated Aussie boxer Andrew Moloney

MELBOURNE, Australia (November 13, 2019) – Guyana-native Elton Dharry didn’t travel halfway around the world from New York City to Australia simply to pick-up a paycheck, after his World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim super flyweight title fight this Friday, against undefeated Aussie fighter Andrew “The Monster” Moloney.

Dharry (24-5-1, 14 KOs) plans to ruin the expected coronation of Moloney (20-0, 13 KOs), the No. 1-rated WBA contender for the vacant title, who knocked out Miguel Gonzalez (29-1) this past March in the fourth round of their WBA Title Eliminator.

Moloney vs. Dharry is the 12-round main event streaming live on ESPN+ from Melbourne, Australia.

“I’ve trained and worked hard a really long time, so, for me, it doesn’t matter where this fight is being held,” Dharry said. “Traveling here wasn’t a problem. This is for a world title and that’s what I want. I do recognize it as my biggest fight, but I’m treating it as just another fight, and he’s just another opponent to me. That’s how I see it.

“I came here because I believe I can win this fight. It’s the reason I traveled 30-plus hours to get here. I don’t predict my fights; I just go in the ring prepared for whatever style. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win. His style doesn’t really mean anything to me. I’m here to win!”

The 33-year-old Dharry, WBA-rated No. 5 and reigning WBA Fedecentro and World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX super flyweight champion, will enter the ring riding a 21-fight win streak dating back to 2010. As a bantamweight, Dharry is a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental, Guyanese, and WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation title holder. In his sixth pro fight, back in 2007, Dharry extended future four-time, three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz the full distance in a loss by way of a four-round unanimous decision.

“We’re extremely excited about this opportunity,” Havoc Boxing Promotions CEO Rob Diaz added. “Elton’s head trainer, Martin Gonzalez, has put together a masterful plan. We have no doubt Elton will execute and bring the championship back to Brooklyn.”

INFORMATION:

Website: www.TeamHavocUSA.com
Twitter: @HavocBoxingNYC, @elton_dharry
Instagram: @havoc_ceo
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HavocBoxingNYC