Andrew Moloney claims IBF junior bantamweight title, calls out Jesse Rodriguez

Andrew Moloney claimed the IBF junior bantamweight title with a majority decision victory over Willibaldo Garcia in Tokoname, Japan. The judges scored the bout 115-113 (twice) and 114-114 in favour of the Australian who, in victory, invited Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez to be his next dance partner.

“It’s been a long, hard road to get this world title, but we finally got it done,” Moloney told ESPN afterwards. “This means everything to me. My whole life has been dedicated to being a world champion.”

Garcia, 23-7-2 (13 KOs), applied pressure from the opening bell but Moloney, in control, countered masterfully to both body and head. Such was Moloney’s class, which was trumping the champion’s determined but crude forward motion, he took five of the first six rounds on all cards.

The Mexican, always pressuring, rallied from the seventh round, however. Moloney, 29-4 (18 KOs), suddenly looked a little bedraggled and, by the eighth, was nursing two cuts above his eyes.

It would take a rally in the 12th and final round to swing things Moloney’s way again. He would take it on all three judges’ cards to eke out a narrow triumph.

“I had to dig deep in that final round,” Moloney said. “We pulled it out. I couldn’t be happier.”

As for what’s next, the new champion said: “I’d love the undisputed fight with ‘Bam’. That’s the biggest prize in boxing.”

Sikho Nqothole, who last week beat Charlie Edwards to secure mandatory status with the IBF, might have something to say about that.

In the main event of a card that also featured John Riel Casimero blasting out Luis Nery, Masamichi Yabuki, 20-4 (18 KOs), unanimously outpointed Mexico’s Rene Calixto, 24-2-1 (10 KOs), over 12 rounds to retain his IBF flyweight title. The scores were 118-108 (twice) and 116-110.

Eddie Hearn Reveals Huge Katie Taylor Croke Park Plans & AJ vs Fury Update Eddie Hearn sits down to discuss one of the biggest weeks in Irish boxing history, as Katie Taylor finally gets her long-awaited Croke Park homecoming. He also gives major updates on Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury, Dmitry Bivol's next move, the return of the 5v5 concept, and some huge potential fights involving Callum Smith, Joshua Buatsi, Hamzah Sheeraz and more.

Katie Taylor reflects on finally securing her dream Croke Park fight and reveals why this will be the final chapter of her legendary career. The Irish icon discusses her opponent, the possibility of facing Holly Holm, why a fight with Ronda Rousey was never realistic, and opens up emotionally about the personal losses her family has endured in recent months. Taylor also looks back on helping transform women's boxing and shares a message for the next generation.

Team GB World Championship bronze medallist Odel Kamara sits down with Tris Dixon after announcing his decision to turn professional. Widely regarded as one of Britain's brightest boxing talents, Kamara discusses why he chose to skip the Olympic cycle, the importance of building experience in the paid ranks, his dream of headlining at Anfield, and why he believes he can become a global superstar. The Liverpool fighter also opens up about his family, growing up in combat sports, sparring elite professionals, his admiration for Roy Jones Jr, and the incredible support driving him into the next chapter of his career.

Bruce Carrington says he's the best at featherweight and welcomes a showdown with Naoya Inoue.