Andrew Moloney had flashbacks to a heartbreaking 2020 title loss as he feared another boxing robbery in the moments before the Australian's arm was raised as world champion again in Japan.
The Kingscliff talent won the last round of a 12-round war with champion Willibaldo Garcia in Aichi on Saturday to claim the IBF super flyweight world title with a narrow majority decision.
Two judges gave him the verdict by the same score, 115-113, while the other one had it level at 114-114.
Mandatory challenger Moloney had knocked back almost $350,000 to step aside and instead take on the Mexican champion, collecting barely a fifth of that sum for the chance to claim the belt.
The 35-year-old Moloney had sensationally quit the sport two years ago after a controversial loss to Pedro Guevara in Perth in which he also tore his bicep off the bone.
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