Boxer Jason Moloney stuns fight fans by becoming Australia’s new world champion in a huge upset – as US Hall of Fame fighter says judges tried to rob the underdog from Down Under
- Jason Moloney surprises fans to win world boxing title
- Underdog seemed to easily outplay his opponent
- Boxing legend says judge tried to rob Moloney
Jason Moloney produced a brilliant performance to become Australia’s last world champion boxer with a points win over Filipino Vincent Astrolabio in Stockton, California – but the American crowd were not happy.
The 32-year-old dominated the fight for the vacant WBO bantamweight title with his left swipe and movement, rarely allowing his powerful opponent to land anything significant.
Moloney looked to have won the fight comfortably, but one judge scored the fight 114-114, with the other two putting him ahead at 115-113 and 116-112.
Hall of Fame fighter Timothy Bradley was outraged when the scorecards were announced and he saw that one of the judges even scored the fight.
“They tried to steal it!” Bradley exclaimed on ESPN.
Jason Moloney stunned the boxing world with his win over mighty Filipino Vincent Astrolabio on Sunday
The 32-year-old (right, landing a right hand on Vincent Astrolabio) picked up the win – although one of the judges scored the fight itself and the crowd in California booed the result
Moloney was then booed by the crowd – which Bradley deemed unnecessary.
“They can boo all they want, but you’re a champion, young man,” he said.
‘You are a champion.’
Boxing legend Andre Ward was very impressed with the Aussie’s performance
“It was beautiful, brilliant work by Moloney,” Ward said in a comment.
“It was a shutout, I think, for Jason Moloney.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he won that fight. I don’t see how the judges can take that from him. There was a clear winner here and that was Jason Moloney.
On one odd occasion Astrolabio managed to land, the Aussie did a great job of tying him down.
The Filipino was rarely able to back up Moloney, who put up a smart and disciplined fight.
In two previous world title attempts, Moloney lost a controversial split decision to IBF champion Emmanuel Rodriguez in 2018 and was stopped in seven rounds by IBF and WBA titleholder Naoya Inoue in 2020.
Hall of Fame fighter Timothy Bradley was appalled by the judge who scored the very fight and said they tried to ‘rob’ the Aussie fighter.
Moloney dominated the fight with his precise jab and excellent movement
Undisputed champion Inoue moved up a division, leaving his titles vacant. Moloney has won his last five fights since losing to Inoue to move to 26-2.
Astrolabio fell to 18-4 after suffering their first loss in seven bouts.
Moloney’s twin brother Andrew will face Japan’s Junto Nakatani in Las Vegas next weekend for the vacant WBO flyweight title.
