Naoya Inoue vs. Jason Moloney - October 31, 2020

[Ruthless-RKO]

Naoya Inoue to defend against Jason Moloney

WBA and IBF bantamweight champion Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue 19-0 (16) will defend his unified championship against Jason ‘Mayhem’ Moloney 21-1 (18) in November, according to promoter Bob Arum.

The 27-year-old champion from Japan has fast emerged as the premier fighter in the lighter weight classes with his explosive power and dynamic style.

But Australia’s Moloney, 29, is confident of springing the upset.

The card could also feature a rematch between Jason’s twin brother Andrew Moloney 21-1 (14), who lost his WBA ‘regular’ title to Joshua Franco 17-1-2 (8) in a close points decision in Las Vegas in June.

“Jason Moloney is scheduled this fall to fight against the ‘Monster’ from Japan, Inoue,” Top Rank chairman Arum told Corbin Middlemas on ABC Grandstand.

“Jason is in there with a hell of a shot. And his brother [Andrew] lost a tough fight to this [Joshua] Franco and there was a rematch clause fortunately, so we’re going to rematch that fight.”

Inoue won his first world championship when he defeated Adrian Hernandez for the WBC junior flyweight title in just his sixth pro fight in 2014.

After one title defence he jumped up two weight classes to claim the WBO super flyweight belt against Argentinian veteran Omar Narvaez by second-round KO.

Seven title defences would follow before Inoue moved up to bantamweight where he would defeat four current or former world champions Jamie McDonnell, Juan Carlos Payano, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Nonito Donaire. Three of those four opponents didn’t survive the opening two rounds.

The last time Inoue was in action was last November when veteran Donaire dragged him into the trench in the final of the World Boxing Super Series. Inoue won on points, but not before suffering a fracture to his right eye socket.

Moloney scored a dominant seventh-round stoppage over Leonardo Baez 18-3 (9) in Las Vegas in June. It has been his only fight this calendar year.

“Jason Moloney and Inoue is signed, yeah,” Arum continued. “And Andrew, we exercise the option with the Franco people. We hope to have both fights going in November.”

Earlier this month Franco praised Andrew Moloney for his toughness after lasting the distance with two perforated eardrums, losing a razor-thin decision by scores of 114-113, 115-112 and 114-113.

“That just shows what kind of heart he has,” Franco told The Ring. “He wants to fight again to try and get his [secondary WBA] belt back but I’m not gonna let him [get it back].

“I see the [rematch] going way different than the first fight. I don’t see it going 12 rounds.”

Moloney was shattered by the loss but insisted he could improve on the performance.

“It just wasn’t my night tonight,” he said at the time.

“This was not the best version of Andrew Moloney, but full credit to Joshua Franco. He deserved to win the title with his effort. He closed the fight strong, like a true champion.

“I’ll be back. One loss won’t define me.”

Last month Moloney revealed his plan to take on Franco in an immediate rematch.

“I’m extremely excited to announce that I will be having a rematch with Joshua Franco,” he said.

“I want to say a huge thanks to Bob Arum and Top Rank Boxing for giving me this opportunity… I can’t wait to get back to America and fight on the big stage again soon. I’m now more motivated than ever to get my world title back.

“I worked my whole life to get that world title and I’m now hungrier than ever to get it back.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Naoya Inoue vs. Jason Moloney in Play For October 31

Plans are in the works for Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue to defend his unified bantamweight world title against Jason Moloney on Oct. 31 in the main event of a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card in Las Vegas, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum told BS on Monday.

“We are working on that,” Arum said. “It would be ‘The Monster’ fighting Moloney on Halloween.”

The fight would take place inside the bubble of the conference center at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where all of Top Rank’s cards have been taking place since it began to put fights on again during the coronavirus pandemic in June without spectators.

Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs), 27, who signed with Top Rank last November, was supposed to have his debut for the company (and his second fight in the United States) at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on April 25 in an ESPN main event. He was scheduled to face John Riel Casimero in a three-belt title unification fight. However, the card was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic. Moloney was supposed to fight Joshua Greer in the co-feature of the April 25 card.

While the 29-year-old Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs), of Australia, returned on June 25 inside the bubble and stopped Leonard Baez in the seventh round, Inoue has been out of action since winning a unanimous decision against Nonito Donaire in a thrilling title unification fight in the final of the eight-man World Boxing Super Series tournament on Nov. 7 in Saitama, Japan. The fight was selected 2019 fight of the year by several media outlets as well as the Boxing Writers Association of America.

While Moloney, who suffered his only loss by split decision to Emmanuel Rodriguez in a bantamweight world title fight in the World Boxing Super Series quarterfinals in October 2018 in Orlando, Florida, was able to travel from his home country of Australia to fight in June, Inoue had issues getting his visa because of a logjam of requests.

But Arum said the pound-for-pound ranked Inoue, who has won world titles at junior flyweight, junior bantamweight and bantamweight, has secured a visa and should soon be headed to the United States.

“The visa problem is OK now,” Arum said. “He has the visa and he had his interview and everything.”

Whether or not the fight will actually take place Oct. 31 will depend largely on Inoue’s Japanese broadcaster, Arum said.

“A lot of the revenue for his fights has to be paid by the Japanese television broadcaster, so we have to make sure Nov. 1 is a good date for Japanese television,” said Arum, noting it would be Oct. 31 in the U.S. and Nov. 1 in Japan due to the time difference between the two countries. “The fight with Moloney I think is actually a better fight in the ring that it would have been with Casimero.”

Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti agreed.

“Inoue makes exciting, great fights and Jason Moloney makes exciting, great fights,” Moretti said. “If the two were ever to fight then you’d have an exciting fight, no question. Stylistically I think it’s great.”

The fight between Inoue and three-division titlist Casimero (29-4, 20 KOs), 31, of the Philippines, was not rescheduled because it was unclear when Inoue would be able to come to the U.S., so Casimero took another fight instead. He will make the first defense of the 118-pound belt he won by third-round knockout of Zolani Tete in November against Duke Micah (24-0, 19 KOs), 28, of Ghana. The fight will take place on Sept. 26 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, on the undercard of the Showtime PPV doubleheader featuring twin brothers Jermell Charlo in a middleweight title defense against Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Jermell Charlo in a three-belt junior middleweight title unification fight with Jeison Rosario.

Casimero’s decision opened the door for Moloney to get another shot at a world title.

“Jason Moloney versus Inoue is a fight we are talking about and very interested in but it is not yet finalized,” Tony Tolj, Moloney’s manager, said. “We want that fight. We have enormous respect for a future Hall of Fame fighter in Naoya Inoue. We won't run from ‘The Monster’ Inoue. To quote Ric Flair, “To be the man, you got to beat the man.”

[bobcatbox]

Good opponent for The Monster. I think Maloney is actually capable of taking him the distance. Also excited for the Franco-Other Maloney rematch. That was a good scrap when we had like no boxing.

Good card!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Inoue-Moloney Bantamweight Title Fight Set, October 31 In Las Vegas

What better time than Halloween for The Monster to invade Sin City.

Naoya Inoue will finally make his long-awaited debut under the Top Rank banner, doing so in his first career fight in Las Vegas. The occasion comes in a unified bantamweight title defense versus Australia’s Jason Moloney, with the two due to collide October 31, live on ESPN+ from the MGM Grand Conference Center (“The Bubble”).

The fight comes as a contingency plan for Inoue (19-0, 16KOs), as the pound-for-pound talent and three-division champ from Yokohama, Japan had designs on facing Philippines’ John Riel Casimero in a three-belt unification clash. Such a fight was set for April 25 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, only to get shut down due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

All told, it has left Inoue on the shelf since a 12-round win over Nonito Donaire in their Fight of the Year-level slugfest last November in Saitama, Japan. The feat left Inoue with two bantamweight belts, top honors in the World Boxing Super Series tournament and a co-promotional contract with Top Rank.

Hopes of commemorating the event with Casimero even in a rescheduled affair disappeared when the Filipino was advised to instead take his services to a September 26 Showtime Pay-Per-View event. Casimero will next defend his bantamweight title versus Duke Micah.

Fortunately for Inoue, there was another top 118-pound boxer eager to accept the assignment in a fight that could have easily occurred a year ago with the right break.

Moloney was also in the World Boxing Super Series bantamweight tournament, suffering his lone career defeat via split decision to Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel Rodriguez in their October 2018 quarterfinal bout. Rodriguez went on to face Inoue, who scored three knockdowns en route to a 2nd round knockout to begin his third division title reign after having served atop junior flyweight and junior bantamweight.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Moloney (21-1, 18KOs) has reemerged as a top contender. Four straight wins have followed for the 29-year old from Kingscliff, whose twin brother Andrew is a former secondary junior bantamweight titlist. The two made their respective Vegas debuts two days apart this past June, both taking place in the very venue which will house this title fight.

Andrew Moloney left Vegas with his first career defeat, losing a 12-round decision and his version of the 115-pound title to San Antonio’s Joshua Franco on June 23. Two nights later, Jason Moloney managed his first stateside win in a one-sided 7th round stoppage of Mexico’s Leonardo Baez.

Ever since that night came the desire for his next fight to be for a world title, with manager Tony Tolj remaining engaged in talks with the handlers for Casimero and Inoue throughout the summer.

“It never mattered to me which one of the two it was, whether Inoue or Casimero,” Moloney told BS.com. “But if I’m being honest, Inoue is a dream fight if I always had my pick.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Naoya Inoue online press conference

Ohashi Promotions held an online press conference to announce that “The Monster” Naoya Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) will defend his WBA super/IBF bantamweight belts as he faces Australian Jason Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs) in Las Vegas on October 31. Naoya was once slated to face WBO counterpart John Riel Casimero for unification in April, but it was postponed and then canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in US. Instead, Naoya will risk his belts against the formidable and technical Aussie, 29, whom The Monster described “durable, tough and highly skillful.”

Inoue, two years his junior, also said, “It will be almost a year since I battled a grueling war with Nonito Donaire last November. I then suffered an optical injury, but could completely recover thanks to this oft-postponement. I’ll have a very good condition on this fight.”

Inoue, who will arrive in Las Vegas a couple of weeks before the event, finally said online, “I have fought as a pro for eight years, and will fight for eight more years. I am going to write my second chapter of my career, which will start from Las Vegas. I’d like to show a good performance.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jason Moloney: Inoue is human and beatable

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #1, WBA#3, IBF #4, WBC #5 bantamweight Jason “Smooth One” Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs) says he will “clearly” defeat Naoya “Monster” Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs)) on October 31 after Inoue was exposed by Nonito Donaire in his most recent bout.

“After Inoue’s last fight against Nonito Donaire where he was extended – it was shown he is beatable- I have always felt that,” Moloney told Fightnews.com®. “A lot of people thought he was going to walk through Donaire but I always thought that wouldn’t be the case. Donaire is obviously a great fighter and has achieved a lot. I thought it would be one of those fights.

“Donaire had plenty of good moments during that fight. He hurt Inoue a couple of times. He definitely showed that Inoue is human and that he is beatable.

“That does give me confidence because I have done sparring with Donaire in the past and done very well. I sparred him on two occasions in Las Vegas. Going back two years ago. It was a 36-year-old Donaire that boxed Inoue- the fight was close. (judge Robert Hoyle scored the fight 114-113).

“I plan on pushing Inoue even harder. I thought Donaire let him off the hook a couple of times throughout that fight and didn’t put enough pressure on him that I plan on doing. I plan on winning the fight clearly and not have a close fight like Donaire did.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Mikaela Mayer called on the junior lightweight world champions for a fight. One of them was mandated to answer.

WBO female junior lightweight world champion Ewa Brodnicka will make the sixth defense of her title in a 10-round showdown against mandatory challenger Mayer on Halloween evening, Saturday, Oct. 31 from the MGM Grand Las Vegas Conference Center. Brodnicka-Mayer will serve as the chief support bout to WBA/IBF bantamweight world champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue’s title defense against Jason “Mayhem” Moloney.

Inoue-Moloney and Brodnicka-Mayer will headline an evening of boxing live and exclusively on ESPN+ beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

“After Mikaela’s last performance, I promised her a world title fight. She’s asked to fight the champions, and I am confident she will make a statement to the rest of the women in and around her weight class,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We’ve watched her progress since her pro debut, and she has turned into one of the premier fighters in female boxing. This WBO belt will be the first of many world titles for Mikaela.”

Frank Smith, CEO of Matchroom Boxing, Brodnicka's co-promoter, said: "We're happy to be working with our friends at Top Rank on another great fight. Ewa Brodnicka has proved herself to be one of the best 130-pound fighters on the planet with five defenses of her WBO world title, and I'm backing her to make it six successful defenses when she meets the undefeated Mikaela Mayer on Oct. 31. This is a top matchup at a time when women's boxing grows from strength to strength."

Brodnicka (19-0, 2 KOs), from Poland, has fought all of her pro bouts in her home country and has gone the 10-round distance on 10 occasions. She participated in the final world title bout before the COVID-19 pandemic March 7, winning a unanimous decision over Djemilla Gontaruk in Dzier?oniów, Poland. Before capturing world title honors at junior lightweight, Brodnicka reigned as European lightweight champion.

Brodnicka said, “I am excited that my title defense against Mikaela is happening in America, where I’ve always wanted to fight. I am more than ready for this opportunity, and I would like to thank my promoters, Eddie Hearn and Mariusz Grabowski, for helping make this fight a reality.”

Mayer (13-0, 5 KOs), from Los Angeles, turned pro under the Top Rank banner almost one year after representing the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She made her pandemic return July 14 and bested two-time world title challenger Helen Joseph over 10 rounds. Matchroom Boxing announced it had signed Brodnicka to a promotional contract on Aug. 6, but later that day, the WBO ordered Brodnicka to defend her world title against Mayer.

“I’ve made huge improvements to my boxing skills over the last 10 months. You saw some of it in my last fight against Helen Joseph, but I've reached a whole new level this fight camp,” Mayer said. “I’m more than prepared for this WBO world championship fight, and I will absolutely be going home with the belt. This fight will not go the distance. Ewa Brodnicka is not on my level, and her time is up. Tune in and watch me bring the championship belt to ESPN and Top Rank.”

[brilo33]

Naoya Inoue is a truly fantastic fighter, all round quailty shame ryan burntte not about, no one touches him in the division for me , i like jason tough lad decent boxer too, sure put up a fight , i think ko inoue for me

[Ruthless-RKO]

Moloney: Bob Arum is a legend

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #1, WBA #3, IBF #4, WBC #5 bantamweight Jason “Smooth One” Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs), who faces WBA/IBF bantamweight champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) on October 31 in Las Vegas, has praised Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

”Bob Arum is an absolute legend who believes that the Inoue vs. Moloney is going to be the “Fight of the Year,“ Moloney told Fightnews.com®. “To have him believing in me and backing me also giving me this massive opportunity and obviously showing a lot of excitement for the fight is just unbelievable.

“He is a smart man and he has been around boxing for a long time – I think he is right – it is going to be the “Fight Of the Year.” It’s great to be part of it. I am in this sport and have dedicated my life to the sport for seventeen years and this is what I want – I want the big fights. I want to achieve something special in my career. This is the opportunity to achieve maybe one of the biggest things for Australian Boxing.

“I think I have the edge (over Inoue) in skill and work rate. We will find out. At times he is reckless. I am probably a bit more calculated also better defensively. He does back his power so much. He is very impressive but he opens himself up to be caught himself. I plan on being very smart and pulling the trigger when I need to and also being smart enough to not get hit as much as his other opponents.”

[Thomastearns]

Inside the tactical mind of Jason Maloney:

“I think I have the edge (over Inoue) in skill and work rate.

No


"At times he is reckless. I am probably a bit more calculated also better defensively."

Maybe, maybe not.


"He does back his power so much. He is very impressive but he opens himself up to be caught himself."

Yes but...


"I plan on being very smart and pulling the trigger when I need to and also being smart enough to not get hit as much as his other opponents.”

They probably also thought that.

It's far easier said than done. We'll see.

[world ranked]

trash fight but Inoue gets a pass cause everyone loves him.

[margaret thatcher]

he should fight casimero next after this, gotta get that one rolling again

[margaret thatcher]

trash fight but Inoue gets a pass cause everyone loves him.

dudes spending too much time loving on inoue and not enough giving roach and charlo some love , is it racism i wonder

[world ranked]

trash fight but Inoue gets a pass cause everyone loves him.

dudes spending too much time loving on inoue and not enough giving roach and charlo some love , is it racism i wonder

I think boxing fans are becoming more like ufc fans where who's the best don't matter the opponent doesn't matter. The knockout is the only think that matter. A masterclass boxer will struggle in this time. If you puncher and your are not very good fans will love despite who you beat.

[littlepug]

trash fight but Inoue gets a pass cause everyone loves him.

dudes spending too much time loving on inoue and not enough giving roach and charlo some love , is it racism i wonder

I think boxing fans are becoming more like ufc fans where who's the best don't matter the opponent doesn't matter. The knockout is the only think that matter. A masterclass boxer will struggle in this time. If you puncher and your are not very good fans will love despite who you beat.

I think that’s the attitude casual fans take, proper boxing fans don’t care what race you are or what country your from and appreciate good skills, Innoue gets a lot of love simply because he’s a good fighter, not mouthy and delivers good results simple as that.

[Onetimeonly]

trash fight but Inoue gets a pass cause everyone loves him.

dudes spending too much time loving on inoue and not enough giving roach and charlo some love , is it racism i wonder

I think boxing fans are becoming more like ufc fans where who's the best don't matter the opponent doesn't matter. The knockout is the only think that matter. A masterclass boxer will struggle in this time. If you puncher and your are not very good fans will love despite who you beat.

[world ranked]

dudes spending too much time loving on inoue and not enough giving roach and charlo some love , is it racism i wonder

I think boxing fans are becoming more like ufc fans where who's the best don't matter the opponent doesn't matter. The knockout is the only think that matter. A masterclass boxer will struggle in this time. If you puncher and your are not very good fans will love despite who you beat.

I think that’s the attitude casual fans take, proper boxing fans don’t care what race you are or what country your from and appreciate good skills, Innoue gets a lot of love simply because he’s a good fighter, not mouthy and delivers good results simple as that.

Why is being "mouthy" a criteria? Fighters can't talk trash and be liked. McGregor does it and he's loved. I don't understand why confident is such a bad thing. Its good one guy but not good for the other?

[margaret thatcher]

is inoue a can crusher?

[littlepug]

I think boxing fans are becoming more like ufc fans where who's the best don't matter the opponent doesn't matter. The knockout is the only think that matter. A masterclass boxer will struggle in this time. If you puncher and your are not very good fans will love despite who you beat.

I think that’s the attitude casual fans take, proper boxing fans don’t care what race you are or what country your from and appreciate good skills, Innoue gets a lot of love simply because he’s a good fighter, not mouthy and delivers good results simple as that.

Why is being "mouthy" a criteria? Fighters can't talk trash and be liked. McGregor does it and he's loved. I don't understand why confident is such a bad thing. Its good one guy but not good for the other?

That stuff is for the casuals, hardcore fans don’t care either way as long as the fights are good.

[world ranked]

I think that’s the attitude casual fans take, proper boxing fans don’t care what race you are or what country your from and appreciate good skills, Innoue gets a lot of love simply because he’s a good fighter, not mouthy and delivers good results simple as that.

Why is being "mouthy" a criteria? Fighters can't talk trash and be liked. McGregor does it and he's loved. I don't understand why confident is such a bad thing. Its good one guy but not good for the other?

That stuff is for the casuals, hardcore fans don’t care either way as long as the fights are good.

You must be casual right because you mentioned "mouthy". Then you say hardcores don't care either way.

[Thomastearns]

dudes spending too much time loving on inoue and not enough giving roach and charlo some love , is it racism i wonder

I think boxing fans are becoming more like ufc fans where who's the best don't matter the opponent doesn't matter. The knockout is the only think that matter. A masterclass boxer will struggle in this time. If you puncher and your are not very good fans will love despite who you beat.

I think that’s the attitude casual fans take, proper boxing fans don’t care what race you are or what country your from and appreciate good skills, Innoue gets a lot of love simply because he’s a good fighter, not mouthy and delivers good results simple as that.

He does.

Just like GGG, Inoue is a true professional both outside and inside the ring who's done it the hard way, on the road against all comers.

Following the footsteps of GGG, having to take the decisions out of the hands of referees and judges.

Luckily for Naoya Inoue he's made it to boxing's summit a few years earlier than Gennady Golovkin. I also think this layoff will be to his advantage. Eye socket injuries should never be taken lightly.

In any case, given his action packed style it's going to be a real pleasure watching 'the monster' fight again.

[littlepug]

Why is being "mouthy" a criteria? Fighters can't talk trash and be liked. McGregor does it and he's loved. I don't understand why confident is such a bad thing. Its good one guy but not good for the other?

That stuff is for the casuals, hardcore fans don’t care either way as long as the fights are good.

You must be casual right because you mentioned "mouthy". Then you say hardcores don't care either way.

I said he’s “not mouthy” so he dispenses with the B.S and let his fists do the talking which is to be admired, proper fans don’t care either way IF the guy can back it up. Anything else?

[littlepug]

I think boxing fans are becoming more like ufc fans where who's the best don't matter the opponent doesn't matter. The knockout is the only think that matter. A masterclass boxer will struggle in this time. If you puncher and your are not very good fans will love despite who you beat.

I think that’s the attitude casual fans take, proper boxing fans don’t care what race you are or what country your from and appreciate good skills, Innoue gets a lot of love simply because he’s a good fighter, not mouthy and delivers good results simple as that.

He does.

Just like GGG, Inoue is a true professional both outside and inside the ring who's done it the hard way, on the road against all comers.

Following the footsteps of GGG, having to take the decisions out of the hands of referees and judges.

Luckily for Naoya Inoue he's made it to boxing's summit a few years earlier than Gennady Golovkin. I also think this layoff will be to his advantage. Eye socket injuries should never be taken lightly.

In any case, given his action packed style it's going to be a real pleasure watching 'the monster' fight again.

Yeah he’s one of the few guys that gets my blood pumping these days, a real pro, you can add Roman Gonzales to that list too, at the tail end of his career now but has been a pleasure to watch.

[margaret thatcher]

how do we rate inoues opposition in general? some dudes making him out to be a bit of a can crusher...

[world ranked]

how do we rate inoues opposition in general? some dudes making him out to be a bit of a can crusher...

There's a lot of guys with accolades but the only one with a universal known quality is Donaire even a past a prime one. I do think he's a great talent but has never been in a 50/50 fight so I do question his resume to a degree, but in saying that hes is a top 10 p4p guy.