The Oz Report: Boxing news from the Land Down Under

JASON MOLONEY EYEING OFF POSITION IN WBSS AFTER KOHEI KONO FIGHT THIS SATURDAY NIGHT

When Jason Moloney squares up against former world champion Kohei Kono at the Malvern Town Hall in Melbourne, Australia this Saturday night there will be more than just his unbeaten record on the line. An impressive display could stamp his ticket for a coveted wildcard entry into the second season of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) which will feature the bantamweight division and is expected to commence in September.

The opportunity would be a dream come true for the RING magazine number 10 ranked 118-pounder.

“I would absolutely love to be part of the WBSS,” said Moloney, 16-0 (13), this week. “My management are currently in talks and we are very hopeful that this may happen. Becoming world champion is my ultimate dream and what I work so hard towards every day. Being involved in this tournament would mean that my dream is presented right there for the taking.

“I would have the opportunity to become a unified world champion and the king of the bantamweight division. It doesn’t get any bigger than that! That’s what dreams are made of. I would absolutely love to be part of the tournament.”

The eight-man single-elimination tournament captured the public’s imagination last year and turned a spotlight on the oft-neglected cruiserweight and super middleweight divisions. With the finals in these two weight classes expected to take place in July, the nominations for the next two divisions to be showcased – the bantamweights and junior welterweights – is currently underway, with three current world champions at 118-pounds already locked in for the bantamweight tourney.

Already confirmed are WBO champion Zolani Tete 27-3 (21) of South Africa, newly-minted IBF titleholder Emmanuel Rodriguez 18-0 (12) of Puerto Rico and WBA “super” champ Ryan Burnett 19-0 (9) of Northern Ireland. Also in the frame is the winner of next month’s WBA “regular” title fight between titleholder Jamie McDonnell 29-2-1 (13) of the United Kingdom and Japanese phenom Naoya Inoue 15-0 (13).

With so much on the line, the importance of winning and winning impressively is not lost on Moloney.

“It is extremely important for me to put on an impressive performance against Kono,” he said. “This is my chance to prove that I am one of the best bantamweights in the world and prove that I am ready to face the very best fighters in my division.

“This is a must-win fight for me.”

With a record of 33-11-1 (14) Kono is a dangerous opponent. A veteran of 10 world title fights, the 37-year-old Japanese has a record of 4-5-1 (2) at the top level. Losses to Tomas Rojas, Luis Concepcion, Nobuo Nashiro, Naoya Inoue and Liborio Solis in world title contests are offset by victories over talented compatriot Koki Kameda, Thai boxers Sutep Wangmuk, Panthep Mullipoom and Tanawat Phonnaku, and a split draw against Norberto Jimenez of the Dominican Republic. In his last outing in October he lost by technical decision to undefeated Chinese contender Rex Tso in a competitive bout for the WBO International title.

The 27-year-old Moloney will need to be at his very best if he wants to come out victorious.

“I’m expecting a very tough fight on Saturday night,” said Moloney, who is ranked WBA #4, WBO #5, IBF #11 and WBC #13. “Kohei Kono is a two-time world champion and you don’t win two world titles unless you are an elite-level fighter. I see this as my chance to prove myself as one of the best bantamweights in the world and I think an impressive win against Kono will do just that.”

The 45-bout veteran has been stopped only once in his 11 losses when Japanese powerhouse Inoue halted him in six, but Moloney insists he will not be actively looking to outdo that performance.

“I think that would a silly move to underestimate Kono like that,” he said. “The fact he has fought in 10 world title fights and only been stopped once shows that he is a very tough and durable fighter.

“I feel like I’m boxing better than ever at the moment and I believe this will be the best performance of my career.

“If the knockout comes then that would be a great statement and a great achievement, but I’m certainly not taking Kohei Kono lightly.”

Going by his moniker “The Smooth One” it would be easy to assume that Moloney is the type to get up on his toes and dance around the ring like Ali, but nothing could be further from the truth. The stylish and skillful operator knows how to stalk his opponent, cut off the ring and apply smart, effective pressure. His 83% knockout ratio attests to his power.

Add to that a healthy dose of desire and a world championship dream, and you’ve got a made-for-TV fighter more than capable of holding his own in a competition like the WBSS.

“One thing I know is that I’m one of the hungriest and most dedicated fighters in the world,” said Moloney. “If you present me with an opportunity like this I’ll grab it with both hands and give it absolutely everything I’ve got.

“If I’m lucky enough to earn a spot in the WBSS I would certainly not be there to make up the numbers, I’m coming for all of the belts, the Muhammad Ali Trophy and the number one spot in the bantamweight division.

“I believe I have what it takes to shock the world and put Australian boxing right back on the map!”

JEFF FENECH SAYS LIAM PARO CAN WIN A WORLD TITLE IN 12 MONTHS TIME

Australian junior welterweight champion Liam “The Prodigy” Paro 13-0 (9) can win a world title within twelve months time, according to triple world champion Jeff Fenech.

Fenech made the claim in a video posted to social media ahead of the 22-year-old North Queenslander’s fight against Sebastian Bytyqi 11-0-1 (8) of the Czech Republic for the WBO world youth title at Southport Sharks on the Gold Coast this weekend.

“There’s a lot of people that jump up and down and tell you that this guy or that guy is going to be the next world champion, but I guarantee you that on the 19th of May he will be the youth world champion and give him 12 months and he will be a legitimate world champion. He has all the skill and potential in the world,” said the International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee.

Southpaw Paro is a regular sparring partner of Jeff Horn and was instrumental in getting the Fighting Schoolteacher ready for his breakthrough win against Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao last July. Paro has also been on hand to help Horn prepare for his upcoming bout against Terence Crawford next month.

TIM TSZYU AIMING TO BECOME A HOUSEHOLD NAME

Undefeated junior middleweight Tim Tszyu 8-0 (6) likes to set goals. Speaking to Tommy Watt of Toe 2 Toe Boxing ahead of his regional title defence against Indonesia’s Larry Siwu 27-10 (23) at the Star Casino in Sydney on May 24, the 23-year-old Sydneysider said he wants to bring boxing back to where it used to be in the public consciousness.

“The goal is to make myself a household name,” he said. “The viewers are at the moment are just Australian boxing fans, but we want the whole Australia-wide audience to be involved to make boxing the way it was supposed to be back in the olden days. That’s the ultimate goal.”

Tszyu is clearly proud to be part of a new generation of Aussie boxers making waves on the international scene and can see a bright future for the sport in his home country.

“There’s a lot of Aussie boxers in every weight division (who are making a name for themselves),” he said. “There’s Jai Opetaia, Georgie Kambosos is doing very well, Nathaniel May, I watched him on the Jeff Horn undercard – Jeff Horn is another one – everyone is making noise, you know.

“Look at those boys, they’re all in the top ten rankings and they can get a call on any day telling them ‘look you’ve got a world title shot’. And that’s the ultimate goal for a boxer, to get that world title, to represent your country and bring boxing back to where it’s supposed to be.”

Tszyu’s fight at the Star marks the first time in his pro career that he has fought at the same venue twice. The well-travelled Tszyu has already fought in three different states and New Zealand, including appearances at world-famous venues such as the Sydney Cricket Ground and Adelaide Oval.

His fight against Siwu will be on the undercard of the big Neutral Corner show headlined by Cronulla’s “Gelignite” Jack Brubaker 13-2-1 (7) versus Tyrone Nurse 35-3-2 (7) of the UK in a final eliminator for the Commonwealth welterweight title. Also on the card will be the local grudge match between OPBF welterweight champion Ben Savva 8-1 (3) of Sydney and Newcastle’s Kyron Dryden 10-1 (8).