Andrew Moloney overcomes rocky moment to stop Elton Dharry

WBA number one super flyweight contender Andrew Moloney 21-0 (14) claimed the vacant WBA interim title with an eighth-round stoppage of Elton Dharry 24-6-1 (14) at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, Australia on Friday night.

It wasn’t all easy going for the 28-year-old, who had to survive a hellacious fifth round to claim the victory.

Moloney edged the first four frames but Dharry proved a tough competitor, rocking the local in the fifth with a right uppercut that had the hometown favourite hanging on for dear life. Moloney’s knee momentarily hit the canvas and it could have been scored a knockdown.

Trainer Angelo Hyder admonished his fighter between rounds.

“You tried to knock him out,” he said. “You didn’t listen to me, you disrespected him.”

Moloney regathered in the sixth, targeting Dharry’s right eye until it began to close. He continued to dish out the punishment for the next two rounds, prompting the ringside physician to halt the contest between the eighth and ninth rounds.

“This is unbelievable,” Moloney said after the fight. “This has been so many years of hard work and sacrifices for this moment. I can’t believe it, it’s finally happened. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, I still think I’m dreaming, because I’ve dreamt it so many times.”

“I’m my toughest critic and I’m not really that happy with the fight, but I’m world champion.”

Moloney added: “He’s a tough, tough man. World titles don’t come easy, and I was expecting a tough fight, and that’s what he gave me. Thank you, Elton.”

WBA 115-pound champion Kal Yafai 26-0 (15) remains on the radar for the undefeated Australian.

“Bring on Yafai. I’ve been chasing him for a long time now. Let’s make it happen,” Moloney said.