Andrew Moloney ready for Concepcion, aims for Yafai
THE biggest test of super flyweight sensation Andrew Moloney’s career is fast approaching.
The 27-year-old, who holds top ten ratings with all four major sanctioning bodies, will feature in the grand opening of the new Bendigo Stadium in regional Victoria against former world champion Luis Concepcion.
“I know people say this all the time, but this really has been the best training camp of my career,” said Moloney.
“We have flown in four international sparring partners for this camp. They have been great in helping me prepare for this fight, as all of them have a similar style to Luis Concepcion.”
“My coach Angelo Hyder and I have watched a lot of Concepcion’s fights and have put together a great plan. Concepcion applies a lot of pressure on his opponents and throws a lot of punches.”
“We realise that I need to be extremely fit for this fight and that is why I am training so hard.”
Moloney (17-0, 10 KOs) is confident ahead of the fourth defence of his WBA Oceania super flyweight bauble against Concepcion (37-6, 26 KOs), who is a former two division world champion and a national icon in Panama.
The talented pocket dynamo believes an emphatic win will put him in line to challenge Kal Yafai.
“Concepcion was the last man to hold the WBA super flyweight title before the current titleholder Kal Yafai,” he explained. “I want to show everyone what level I am at by beating Concepcion and then we will set our sights on Yafai next.”
“After seventeen fights as a professional, I feel as though I have done my apprenticeship and I’m now ready to take on the best in the division. It’s no secret that I want my shot.”
“We offered all the fighters ranked above me the fight but they declined so I am very happy to be fighting the former champion in Concepcion.”
The unbeaten super flyweight has been campaigning for well over a year to secure a marquee fight abroad.
Given the difficulty of securing an opportunity overseas, Moloney’s promotional team have secured Concepcion. The 32-year-old was a reigning world champion less than two years ago and has plans to return to the top with an upset victory in Bendigo.
“My rival is undefeated, but by reviewing his record he has not had the same opposition that I have faced in my career,” Concepcion added.
“I already studied it and we know what we are going to do in Australia. Fighting inside or outside – we have things clear I’m motivated to win the fight – and seek to crown myself again.”
The winner will be right in the mix for a world title opportunity, including a potential spot in the immensely popular ‘Super Fly’ series.
Words: Pres Release
Photo: Justin Gan
