Jason Moloney Could Face Donaire or Rodriguez for Vacant Belts!
Two-time title challenger Jason “Mayhem” Moloney (25-2, 19KO) will soon benefit from upcoming changes in the bantamweight division. Undisputed champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue (24-0, 21KO) is moving up to super bantamweight and the vacant belts will need new owners. Moloney will benefit most, but former IBF champion Emmanuel Rodriguez and “The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire are also in the mix.
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On December 13, Inoue claimed the undisputed crown after stopping a cautious Paul Butler for the WBO title. Having cleaned house, he now looks to new horizons in the super bantamweight division. When looking at the 118-pound rankings, Moloney is in the perfect position for two possible championship options.
JASON MOLONEY HAS TWO CHAMPIONSHIP OPTIONS
On October 15, the Aussie won a WBC title eliminator after easily dispatching Nawaphon Kaikanha. This was a very important victory as it gave him the number one spot with the WBC, matching his position within the WBO rankings.
Mayhem was hoping to get a rematch with Inoue to avenge a seventh-round knockout. However, he could look to rematch against Emmanuel Rodriguez. On October 21, 2018, Moloney suffered his first career defeat to Rodriguez via split decision in the World Boxing Super Series tournament. Rodriguez sits under Moloney in the number two slot, meaning the WBO could order them to fight.
Rumor within the boxing community has it the two-time title challenger could fight for the WBC title against multi-divisional champion Nonito Donaire. This would be a fan-friendly affair as both fighters are looking at possibly their last shot at the championship. Oddly enough, the Aussie is the harder puncher of the two, which used to be an advantage in Donaire’s favor.
Whatever decision Moloney makes leads to a championship fight next going into 2023.
By: Bo Bland
