Australian bruise brothers Jason and Andrew Moloney went hunting history this week as they aimed to become the first Australian twins to claim world boxing titles.
And Jason Moloney has completed the first leg of what could be a historic double, securing a majority decision victory over Philippines’ Vincent Astrolabio to win the WBO bantamweight world title on Sunday in front of 16,000 fans at Stockton Arena.
Having failed in his previous two world title shots, the 32-year-old Jason overcame a broken hand “in the third or fourth round” to dominate the fight with his left jab and movement, rarely allowing his power-punching opponent to land anything significant, and eventually claim a 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 victory.
Jason’s Californian world title fight was a “make or break” moment that would define his career. A loss, five years after the first of two other world title fight defeats, would effectively have meant the end of the road.
Now he has the win, it potentially sets up an epic $2 million showdown with Nonito Donaire on home turf, ideally on a powerhouse card featuring twin brother Andrew.
Jason’s win now piles the pressure on Andrew’s world title fight in Las Vegas next Sunday, on a card headlined by Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Andrew lost his title defence of the WBA Super Flyweight in 2020, suffering two perforated ear drums, a fractured nose, and cuts inside his mouth and eye in the COVID-era defeat.
Melbourne-born and raised, the Moloney brothers have mostly plied their trade in the United States but, after discussions with promoter Top Rank’s Hall of Fame boss Bob Arum, are planning a blockbuster double-header in Australia if this week goes to plan.
“These guys already do massive numbers in the US; they have big profiles here but there’d be nothing bigger,” their manager Tony Tolj said. “The first Aussie brothers to have titles at the same time ... they could fill a stadium.”
Both Moloney brothers boasted a 25-2 professional record going into this week and know their profile on home soil could go stratospheric if they both bring home world title belts. Jason has done his bit, now it’s up to Andrew.
“Fighting overseas, you get a bit forgotten about, we’re not in the media as much as other Australian boxers,” Jason said. “This is the start of what we want to create, a big following. Once we bring these two belts home it goes to a whole other level.”
Jason Moloney and the Manny Pacquiao-managed rival Astrolabio (18-3) both weighed in less than one pound under the 118-pound limit on Saturday (AEST). The division had been vacated thanks to Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue’s move up to the 122-pound division. Inoue beat Moloney in Las Vegas three years ago, but the Australian was one of a few to take rounds off the undefeated, undisputed champion.
Jason’s only professional losses were in world title bouts: to Emmanuel Rodriguez in 2018, and to Inoue, considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, in 2020. Jason, nicknamed “Mayhem”, has subsequently won four straight to earn the No 1 ranking in the WBO division. Now he has the world champion belt as well.
Both brothers have come a long way from the youngsters who had to wait so long to have their hands raised in victory. Jason lost his first three fights while Andrew was 0-7 before he claimed victory in the ring. Only when the boys gave away playing AFL to concentrate 100% on the sweet science did their fortunes – and results – turn around.
“It never felt like we were never not going to do well, but it started rockier than we thought,” Jason says. “The sport was harder than we initially thought, but we both had a belief we could be good at it. That rough start spurred us on to try even harder and stick at it. In the long run, it was a bit of a blessing.”
Blessings were in the mix this weekend too. Jason and Andrew both received blessings from a US archbishop, a dedication organised by famed American boxing commentator Colonel Bob Sheridan, who is close to the fighting brothers.
It worked for Rocky Balboa, who famously pulled up outside the church of Father Carmine for blessings on his way to a fight and it worked for Jason who says he appreciates “anyone who wants to say a prayer for me… but the result is up to me.”
