Moloney vs Sanchez Bantamweight Showdown: The New Kings
Moloney Looks To Assert Status in Wide Open Division
Boxing Odds Have WBO Champion Moderately Favored
Jason Moloney looks to continue making his case as the best bantamweight by now defending his belt against Saul Sanchez. The boxing odds have Moloney favored at -450. The Australian has won five straight bouts after losing to Naoya Inoue. He’s ranked as one of the three best 118-pound boxers. And he may just be the best if he can thoroughly impress in this Moloney vs Sanchez bantamweight showdown.
🥊 Andrew Moloney vs Saul Sanchez 🥊
Day/Time:
Title: WBO World Bantamweight Title (118 lbs.)
Location: Videotron Centre, Quebec City, QC
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Just How Good is Moloney?
Most boxing fans may know Moloney as being the former two-time title challenger. His only two professional defeats have come in these title bouts, one to Inoue and the other to Emmanuel Rodriguez (who is now the IBF titleholder). But at 33 years old and finally, a champion, the best has yet to come for Moloney.
“I’m prepared for the toughest fight of my life,” Moloney told BoxingScene.com. “Being the champion, I know that every opponent I face is going to be extremely hungry to try and take my belt away from me, but I’m so hungry and know that I’ve got so much more to achieve.”
Moloney is riding high following his gutsy win over Vincent Astrolabio. He stuck to his guns and outmaneuvered his aggressive counterpart. It may be more of the same as he looks to outdo Sanchez, a forward-moving pugilist who will look to bring the boxing fight to him.
This Moloney vs Sanchez bantamweight showdown may come down to how well the champion can score points while fighting off his backfoot. Judges may give points to the more aggressive boxer. This bout is expected to go to the scorecards (-200), so Moloney must show he can do damage despite being more technical.
But winning the belt will instill some renewed vigor in the Australian. He is the favorite on the boxing picks and parlays for a reason. Moloney should feel more confident in himself after finally becoming a champion. He’s also fought and beaten higher-level competition.
Sanchez fell short against Eros Correa, who was his most challenging opponent. Most of the boxers he’s beaten were journeymen or prospects like him. And he’s never fought in a major title bout. The advantage is squarely in the champion’s corner.
The State of the Bantamweight Division
Speaking of Rodriguez, he should have been the most logical next opponent for Moloney should the champion defend. The Moloney vs Sanchez bantamweight showdown odds imply an 81% chance. However, Rodriguez retired from the sport shortly after recapturing the IBF title.
Rodriguez last fought and edged Moloney in 2018 for his IBF belt. He lost this title against Inoue but reclaimed it in August last year with a dominant decision against Melvin Lopez. A few months later, he announced his retirement. Now, the IBF belt is vacant.
Other champions Moloney could fight for a unification bout include the winner of Takuma Inoue, and Jerwin Ancajas or the winner of Alexandro Santiago and Junto Nakatani. Both are fighting in the February 24 card in Japan. As far as the division is concerned, this is one of the most significant events on the boxing schedule.
If the odds prove accurate, the hometown boxers should prevail. Inoue is favored over Ancajas at -235, while Nakatani is a wide -650 against Santiago.
There is history with Moloney and these Japanese boxers. Takuma Inoue is Naoya’s younger brother, while Nakatani knocked out Andrew Moloney, Jason’s twin brother. There is some revenge factor for the newly minted WBO titlist. And with Naoya Inoue now gone from the division, the power struggle among the champions is one worth keeping an eye on.
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