Australian Jason Moloney reigns supreme in title defence ‘slugfest’

Boxing fans were treated to an instant classic on Sunday as an all out war unfolded between Aussie Jason Moloney and an American rival.

Moloney got it done. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

Australian Jason Moloney has made his first successful defence of his WBO bantamweight world title on Sunday against American star Saul Sanchez.

The title fight took place at the Videotron Centre in Quebec, Canada, with the Aussie emerging victorious in what was an all-out war.

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In an exhausting fight, both men left everything they had in the ring as the crowd in attendance rose to their feet as the final bell rang out.

Sanchez came out firing and looked to have the champ on the back foot early as a nasty cut opened up on the right eyebrow of the Aussie.

While it looked like a potential upset could be on the cards, Moloney regained his bearings and came roaring back to life.

The two men traded brutal combinations throughout the entirety of the fight with the bout being thrown into the hands of the judges.

While one judge scored it a 114-114 draw, the remaining two judges scored it 116-112 to see Moloney retain his title.

What a fight! Australia’s @JasonMoloney1 has retained his world title by majority decision against Saul Sanchez 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZJ31uJxvWA

— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) January 14, 2024

Thru 11 and #MoloneySanchez has been a brutal slugfest. I have Moloney up 106-103. Many close rounds. #boxing

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) January 14, 2024

The win sees Moloney take his record to 27-2 and will now see him look to exact his revenge on IBF champ Emmanuel Rodriquez.

Moloney lost to Rodriquez in 2018 in a controversial loss.

“It still eats away at me,” Moloney said of the defeat to the IBF titleholder.

“Now that I’m a champion it’s not something I cry over, but still – whenever I watch that fight back – I think I won it.

“And what makes me want (the rematch) more is knowing how much I’ve improved since that fight.”

Other potential opponents for Moloney including Japanese rival Junto Nakatani and WBA champion Takuma Inoue.

Moloney got it done. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

FULL FIGHT CARD & RESULTS

Artur Beterbiev (c) def. Callum Smith via TKO

Christian Mbilli def. Rohan Murdock via TKO

Jason Moloney (c) def. Saul Sanchez via majority decision

Imam Khataev def. Joaquin Murrieta Lucio via TKO

Leila Beaudoin def. Elizabeth Espinoza via unanimous decision

Wilkens Mathieu def. Jose Arias Alvarez via unanimous decision

Mehmet Unal def. Dragan Lepei via TKO

Christopher Guerrero def. Sergio Herrera via unanimous decision

Moreno Fendero def. Victor Hugo Flores via KO

Originally published as Australian Jason Moloney reigns supreme in title defence ‘slugfest’