Australian twins to chase history in world title fights a week apart
Australian twins Jason and Andrew Moloney have the chance to make history after being guaranteed world title shots just one week apart.
Jason will challenge for the WBO bantamweight title against Filipino Vincent Astrolabio in Stockton California on May 13, while Andrew will take on undefeated Japanese fighter Junto Nakatani for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight title a week later in Las Vegas.
Jason (left) and Andrew Moloney will chase history in May.Credit:Getty Images
The championship fights haven’t been officially announced by promoters Top Rank, but sources with knowledge of the situation have told The Sun-Herald that agreements have been reached.
The bouts give the Moloneys a chance to fulfil their lifelong dream of becoming world champions at the same time.
“Hopefully the world and Australia will recognise how special this is,” Jason said. “Two identical twins with identical records are fighting for the exact same world title only one week apart, only one weight division apart.
“It’s incredible how the stars align, and I think this is meant to be. For 19 years, me and Andrew have worked our arses off and dedicated our lives to this sport. Now we have the opportunity to make it all worthwhile and I can’t wait for it to happen.
“To have two brothers as world champions is an amazing story.
“Hopefully, we get the respect and support we deserve. It’s incredible to have [potentially] two world champions from Australia, and they are both twin brothers. It’s a very special story.”
Most pundits – including Dame Helen Mirren, Joe Rogan and LL Cool J – felt Andrew Moloney was robbed of victory when the second of his trilogy fights against Joshua Franco in 2020 was ruled a no contest. Andrew, who briefly held the WBA super-flyweight title, bounced back from the setback to again contest for a world title.
“Since then the goal has been getting back to winning another world title and holding it for a very long time,” Andrew said.
“I’ve been working hard the last few years to make that happen and improve as a fighter.
‘To have two brothers as world champions is an amazing story.’
“I’ve worked my way back into that position. The goal for many years has been for Jason and I to become world champions at the same time and now we have the opportunity to do that just a week apart.
“It feels like everything we have worked for is coming to fruition, and now we have the chance to make it all happen.”
Twin Moloney victories could mark the beginning of another successful era for Australian boxing. Tim Tszyu holds the interim WBO super-welterweight title after defeating Tony Harrison earlier this month. He will become just the ninth undisputed champion in the four-belt era if he beats his next opponent, Jermell Charlo.
Australia’s IBF cruiserweight world champion, Jai Opetaia, is preparing for his first title defence and several other locals could be in contention for title fights this year.
Andrew Moloney said he had become a better fighter since his two professional defeats to Franco, the only losses of his career.
“It was just so disappointing when I lost that title,” he said. “Things happened how they did and now I look back at it as a blessing, I’ve developed so much as a fighter over the last few years.
“Having that as motivation has improved me as a fighter and I feel I’m in a place now where I’m ready to fight for a world title and make sure I win that belt.”
Tim and Nikita Tszyu have spoken about the emotional and logistical challenges of fighting on the same card. The Moloneys are glad their title fights are a week apart.
“This has worked out perfectly,” Andrew said.
“It is stressful when you’re fighting on the same night, it makes it very hard for our team to prepare the both of us. I will say that when you’re fighting second, it’s very hard watching your brother fight and using up that energy.
“It works out perfectly being a week apart, we can go through the training camp together, go over to America and finish preparations together.
“He’ll win his world title, a week later I will win mine and then we can celebrate.”
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