Jason Moloney’s world title dreams in tatters after defeat to Japanese star

Aussie Jason Moloney faces a long climb back into world title contention after suffering his second straight loss on Japanese soil.

Aussie Jason Moloney faces a long path back into world title contention after suffering his second consecutive loss on Japanese soil.

After being upset to lose the WBO bantamweight world title against Yoshiki Takei last May, Moloney (27-4) fell victim to unbeaten Japanese sensation Tenshin Nasukawa on Monday night via unanimous decision (97-93, 97-93, 98-92).

Davis vs Roach | SUN 2 MARCH 12PM AEDT | Boxing superstar Gervonta Davis returns to defend his WBA Lightweight World Title against WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Lamont Roach at the Barclays Center, New York. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Nasukawa is now 53-0 for his career after a lengthy, dominant run as a kickboxer – which included an exhibition bout with Floyd Mayweather – and 6-0 as a pro boxer.

He now looks bound for a world title shot in a division dominated by his nation.

Moloney, who pledged not to fall victim to a southpaw as he did against Takei, instead suffered an unfortunate repeat.

Tenshin Nasukawa (left) was too strong for Aussie Jason Moloney.

While his experience showed early in the bout, he couldn’t do enough damage outside of a promising sixth round where he nearly knocked down Nasukawa.

After the eighth round, Moloney’s corner could be heard telling him he was letting the fight slip away. He could only reply: “I know.”

In the post-match it became clear Nasukawa and Takei were heading towards a title fight later in the year.

Moloney’s last three losses have come against Japanese fighters, having also been beaten by Naoya Inoue in late 2020.

Tenshin Nasukawa takes it 👏

Prodigy battles to victory over the experienced Jason Moloney after ten rounds 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cKMG4Y002Y

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) February 24, 2025

He recovered from that fight, winning six straight bouts including the WBO title over Vincent Astrolabio in May 2023.

But this latest defeat leaves the Aussie facing a long road back to title contention.

Two world title fights in the same division headline this event, with 29-0 Junto Nakatani defending his WBC bantamweight belt against 27-0 Mexican David Cuellar in the main event.

Earlier a remarkable unanimous draw (114-114 x3) saw Seiya Tsutsumi retain the WBA bantamweight world title in his rematch with Daigo Higa.

In a wild ninth round, the champion – already bloodied from a cut above the eye suffered much earlier in the bout – was knocked down, but got back up and knocked down Higa barely a minute later.

Moloney (left) lost to Japan's Yoshiki Takei in May last year. (Photo by Philip FONG/AFP)

Tsutumi lifted mightily in the final rounds which may have been enough to save his title.

Higa was the WBC flyweight champion in 2017-18 but lost it after failing to make weight for a title defence he then lost anyway via TKO.

FULL CARD

Junto Nakatani (c) def David Cuellar for the WBC bantamweight title via KO in Round 3

Tenshin Nasukawa def Jason Moloney via UD (97-93 x2, 98-92)

Seiya Tsutsumi (c) drew with Daigo Higa for the WBA bantamweight title (114-114 x3)

Eigoro Akai lost to Ryuya Moriai via TKO in Round 2

Ryosuke Kiuchi def Fuentes Kitajima via UD

Hayato Aiko def Yuki Sato via UD

Originally published as Jason Moloney’s world title dreams in tatters after defeat to Japanese star