Andrew Moloney – “If I could fight every week, I’d fight every week”

 
IT was fitting that on the weekend leading to the prestigious Melbourne Cup, that Australia’s latest golden boy Andrew Moloney made his professional debut.

 
Only months after capturing gold as a flyweight at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Moloney made a near flawless entry into the paid ranks, stopping Indonesian Willem Marahina (4-13-1, 2 KOs) in the third round of a scheduled six.

 
Having previously gone three rounds with former WBA bantamweight title challenger Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat last year, it makes for impressive reading that Moloney was able to systematically break down his more experienced opponent.

 
“It was awesome, it was what I’ve been waiting for, to finally turn professional. I hung around the amateurs to get the experience,” said Moloney in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing. “I was able to finish it off with a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, which was a bit of recognition. But I have been waiting to make my professional debut for a long time and it’s been a dream to make it happen.”

 
“The atmosphere compared to the amateurs is just something different. I had such an awesome time. If I could fight every week, I’d fight every week.”

 
“I’m fighting again in early December, which is about six weeks away and I can’t wait for that one already.”

 
Moloney, 23, was originally slated to make his professional debut against seasoned veteran Ricky Manufoe on the televised undercard of Alex Leapai’s fight against Malik Scott. However, when the card was postponed and inevitably scrapped by Main Event, Moloney was left without a fight.

 
In stepped kickboxing promoter Tarik Solak, who offered Moloney a spot on the televised undercard of Billy Dib’s non-title fight against Ruben Manakane. It was an opportunity that Moloney (now 1-0, 1 KO) and his team took with both hands.

 
“The fight was perfect. We knew he was a tough boy and he was going to give me a hard fight and that’s what he did,” Moloney continued. “I hit him with some big shots. He was extremely tough.”

 
“He was hanging in there and was throwing some big shots himself. He caught me once or twice and that’s what we wanted. Get the experience and get the first one out of the way.”

 
“I was able to show a little of what I can do in there and get some rounds out and was able to finish him off.”

 
The supremely talented former amateur star is not looking to rest on his laurels. With one more fight scheduled before year’s end, Moloney is looking to challenge for national honours early next year, before stepping up competition yet again.

 
“Early next year I want to fight for the Australian title,” Moloney declared. “I just want to finish this year off and have a bit of a break at the end of the year. I hope to be really busy next year.”

 
To his delight, Moloney’s trainer Brian Butler of East End Boxing had nothing but praise for his young charge and his impressive professional debut.

 
“I’m just totally wrapped, it’s been a while coming. We were pretty disappointed not getting on the Leapai vs. Scott card,” said Butker. “A lot of fans had bought tickets to Queensland and tickets to the original fight, and then we only had eight days to get something sorted.”

 
“A big thanks to Tarik Solak for putting Andrew on the show and getting the fight on Foxtel. It was hard, as it was Melbourne Cup weekend and it’s always a busy time.”

 
“His performance was absolutely flawless. He wanted to get him out of there a little bit earlier, but I wanted him to box a few more rounds, which is what he did.”

 
“Marahina was pretty tough. He showed some resistance,” Butler continued. “He caught him with the uppercut and the right rip to the body I was really pleased the way he put him away. He then turned around to me and said, “Can we do that again?”

 
Butler also had kind words for Moloney’s brother Jason, who also trains under Butler’s tutelage. The brothers have sparred a countless number of rounds over the years, in addition to work with undefeated featherweight prospect Luke Jackson, who is also close friends with the Moloney brothers.

 
“His preparation in camp was fantastic. We had some great sparring from Luke Jackson and we have some great young talent in the gym,” Butler said in closing. “Some of the best sparring you can ever see is with him and his twin brother Jason. Watching those two spar is like World War 3 every time.”

 
“Andrew’s manager Barry Michael is over in the USA at the WBO convention at the moment and hopefully he comes back with some big things for us.”

 
 
Photo: Brock Ellis