No controversary this times as Joshua Franco outpoints Andrew Moloney

Joshua Franco nicknamed, “The Professor,” got brainy Saturday night at the Hard Rock Casino in San Antonio, Tx. Facing Andrew Moloney for the third time - with a victory and a ridiculous no contest under his belt, Franco figured out how to neutralize Andrew Moloney’s jab - a blow that had been very effective for Moloney in fight number two.

His preparation was perfect as Franco outworked Moloney over 12 rounds to win their climatic by unanimous decision.

All three judges had Franco winning the fight 116-112.

In the opening stanza, Moloney, as expected, came out jabbing. He landed a few of them, but not many. Franco(18-1-2, 9 KOs) followed but was a step behind. Moloney went to the body. Franco connected with a right. Moloney connected with a left. In round two, Franco, feeling good about himself, kept letting his right go. 

Moloney (21-2, 14 KOs) kept popping his jab, but Franco blocked them. He landed a combination to the body and head. He bounced to his left and right. Landed a short uppercut. Franco clipped Moloney with a combination.

After splitting the first two rounds, the champion and former champion continued to battle. Franco,25, worked his own jab. Moloney moved and landed a shot to the ribs. He doubled up on his jab. Franco ducked em and connected with a right. Round four was more of the same. Moloney was doing better from the outside, while Franco did well in the pocket. Moloney connected with a body shot. Franco walked after Moloney and did some good work.

In round five, Franco came out fast. He landed an uppercut that seemed to bother Moloney. Moloney,30, fought back on the inside. Franco looked like the stronger fighter after five heats. Moloney fired combinations but none of the blows were bothering Franco. Franco connected with a clubbing right. Moloney went to the body.

Franco jolted Moloney with a left. Franco walked inside without fear of return fire. He landed a lead left hook and right hand in round seven. Franco kept rolling along in round eight.

He clipped Moloney with a left. Moloney was giving it everything he had, but it wasn’t enough. Franco dug to the body. That one had to hurt. Franco landed a left to the chest in round nine. Seconds later a right connected.

Moloney landed a right at the bell.

In round 10, Franco cuffed Moloney with a left. Moloney worked the belly. With Moloney on the ropes, Franco worked him over. Moloney switched to southpaw and landed a left. Franco clipped Moloney with a three-punch combo.

With two rounds to go, Moloney was in complete control. Moloney needed to land a hail merry. Everyone, including Franco, knew he would try. He fired right hands. Franco blocked the shots. His jab scored. Franco was cruising to the consternation of his corner. He scored with a left. And then a few rights. Moloney came out firing in the 12^th and final round. He ripped inside shots but ate some counter rights. Franco was fighting like he had the bout in the bag.

“I needed this fight to prove myself,” said Franco

Mission accomplished.