Andrew Moloney talks impressive 2016, Commonwealth title ambitions
ANDREW Moloney’s Commonwealth Games gold medal proudly sits atop his mantle as his greatest achievement in boxing to date.
However, a series of strong performances this year has led many within his team to the belief that the Melburnian could replicate his amateur achievements as a professional, with a shot at the Commonwealth bantamweight title looking like a potential option in 2017.
The 25-year-old will compete for the sixth and final time this year against hardwearing Argentine import Carlos Ruben Dario Ruiz (21-8, 10 KOs) at the Melbourne Park Function Centre in what will be the second defence of his WBA Oceania bantamweight strap.
With the Mooroolbark-resident having an abundance of potential title paths to pursue, Moloney (10-0, 6 KOs) is able to positively reflect on his twelve month campaign, having impressed with each passing fight.
“This has been a great year and everything has gone to plan,” said Moloney in an interview with Aus-Boxing. “We aimed to have a busy year after only having the three fights last year. We wanted to have at least five fights in 2016 and we have managed to squeeze in six, so I’m very happy.”
“We have also set ourselves up with an amazing team with Hosking Promotions – and our managers Tony Tolj and Angelo Hyder – who are all doing a great job. The future is looking really good for us and I couldn’t be happier.”
“It has been a very busy year and I’m lucky that I’ve had a few early knockouts, which has helped with the work load. It also helps that I love training, so I’m doing something that I love everyday and I’ve got a lot of supportive people around me, which keeps me motivated to show up and train hard everyday.”
Having blitzed all of his competition so far in 2016, including a career-best win over former world title challenger Jether Oliva in October, Moloney is hopeful of a challenge against the well-travelled Ruiz, who has provided some elite level fighters with resistance.
Ruiz, 30, is best known for taking reigning WBA super flyweight champion Luis Concepcion ten rounds, while also pushing world rated super flyweight Miguel Gonzalez the distance in his last outing in September.
“This guy should give me a tough fight, he has fought some good fighters and given them hard fights,” added Moloney. “He fought the current WBA super flyweight champion Luis Concepcion – and after watching the fight – the commentators only had him down by one point in the tenth round before he got caught. So he is up there with some of the best guys.”
“I plan on improving every fight, showcasing what I’ve been working on in the gym and proving to the fans that I’m on my way to a world title. I’m looking forward to winning in impressive fashion and continuing to climb the world rankings. I’m also looking forward to burgers and milkshakes after the fight.”
Without looking too far ahead, Moloney sees a fight with undefeated Commonwealth bantamweight champion Duke Micah as a realistic option within the next twelve months. Moloney has intentions of becoming the first Australian since Paul Ferreri to lift the Commonwealth bantamweight title, breaking a thirty year drought.
“I really would like to win the Commonwealth title,” concluded Moloney. “Having won gold at the Commonwealth Games, I’d love to do the double by winning the title as a professional as well.”
“We almost had that locked in for November, but it was too close to this fight. I needed to defend my WBA Oceania title or I would’ve been stripped of that. But I really would like to fight for the Commonwealth title at some stage next year.”
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Photo: Justin Gan