Boxing 2023: Australian Jason Moloney wins WBO bantamweight world title fight

Melbourne fighter Jason Moloney has spoken from hospital after outlasing Filipino rival Vincent Astrolabio to become Australia’s newest world champion.

Jason Moloney (right) lands a blow on Vincent Astrolabio. Picture: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images

Australian boxing has another male world champion after Melbourne’s Jason Moloney defied the “excruciating” pain of a broken hand to live out his dream in America.

Stung by two previous failed world-title attempts, it was a case of third time lucky for ‘Mayhem’ Moloney, who outlasted Filipino rival Vincent Astrolabio on Sunday to win the vacant WBO bantamweight crown at Stockton Arena.

In a California cliffhanger, Moloney (26-2, 19KO) scored a majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 116-112), overwhelming Astrolabio (18-4, 13KO) and setting up a potential $2 million showdown with Nonito Donaire.

Australian duo Jai Opetaia and Tim Tszyu have won world titles in the past year, and Moloney is now the nation’s latest boxing world champion after producing Opetaia-like heroics.

Opetaia overcame a broken jaw in two places to win the IBF cruiserweight world title last July and Moloney punched through the pain barrier to clinch the world-title belt he has spent 20 years chasing.

Speaking to News Corp from a California hospital, the 32-year-old told of his relief at conquering the world after falling at the final hurdle against Emmanuel Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue in 2018 and 2020.

“I can’t believe I’ve done it. I’m a champion of the world,” an elated Moloney said.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in because I’m in a world of pain.

“I’ve just arrived at the hospital here to get my hand fixed.

Jason Moloney (right) lands a punch on Vincent Astrolabio. Picture: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images

“It’s third time lucky. It’s incredible. To know I’m a world champion, I am so relieved.

“If I didn’t win this fight, I feel like I would never have got this opportunity again and for the rest of my life I would have felt like a failure and been devastated.”

Astrolabio was strong early and dominated the Australian in the third round, when Moloney believes he broke his right hand.

Despite the injury, Moloney soldiered on and showed incredible toughness to step up the pace.

After six rounds, Mayhem was doing damage with his relentless jab and when the fight went into the later rounds, Astrolabio’s corner told him he needed a knockout to emerge victorious.

The knockout punch never arrived, with Moloney proving too slick and quick amid the agony of a busted hand.

“I hit him with a good right hand in round three or four and straight away I thought, ‘I’ve broken my hand’,” he said.

Jason Moloney in hospital with a broken hand.

Jason Moloney with his brother and his title belt.

“It was very painful, but I didn’t tell my corner.

“Every time I threw my right hand, if I connected, it sent excruciating pain through my whole arm, but I tried to not show him I was hurt.

“From that point on, I had to pick my moments and I adapted my style to use my jab and movement.

“I thought I won comfortably and I’m glad the judges gave me the decision.

“If he got the decision, it would have torn me apart.”

Moloney now wants to unify the bantamweight division.

“Eventually I want all the belts,” he said.

“I have won one now and there’s another three to collect.

“I would love to bring a big fight Down Under and headline and get the whole country behind me.

“It’s been a long hard road. I feel like there is so much pressure off my shoulders, I have achieved this dream after 20 years.”

Originally published as Boxing 2023: Australian Jason Moloney wins WBO bantamweight world title fight