Jason Moloney recaps Valero win, looks forward to Bernache test

THEY say that an active fighter is a dangerous fighter. And for that reason alone, Jason Moloney poses a threat to anyone in his division.

The world rated Melburnian, who is currently the thirteenth rated contender for Venezuelan Nehomar Cermeno’s secondary WBA super bantamweight title, will make the third defence of his WBA Oceania regional bauble against Mexican veteran Enrique Bernache (22-8, 11 KOs) at the Melbourne Park Function Centre on Saturday night.

With one eye on advancing towards an eventual title eliminator, Moloney (10-0, 9 KOs) is looking to end his busiest year as a professional with another impressive scalp, this time with a win over a durable opponent who has been finished just twice in thirty outings.

As has been the case all year, the enthusiastic twin has had his heart set on making at least six appearances over the course of the calendar year. Having been so active, the 25-year-old has had little time to reflect on his impressive campaign, which alongside his brother Andrew, has them positioned for bigger opportunities in 2017.

“My last fight against Gerpaul Valero was my toughest test to date,” said Moloney in an interview with Aus-Boxing. “I got some really valuable rounds in which is exactly what I need at this point of my career. Valero was dangerous so I really had to take my time and pick my shots.”

“In the end I was able to stop him with a great body shot, which I was really happy about. Valero has faced some really solid opponents – and had only been stopped twice in his 42 fights – so it was a great result for us.”

“I feel like I have improved a lot as a fighter this year. We only had three fights last year, so our goal this year was to be a lot more active.”

“This fight will be my sixth fight for the year and each fight has been very valuable. My opponents have been getting tougher and tougher I feel like I am improving with every fight.”

Despite not having any break between fights, Moloney has had no issues with the workload. However, given that he has finished four of his five opponents for they year, it is easy to see why he has remained so fresh.

“Yes, it has been a very busy year but I feel like I have handled the workload well,” he continued. “I’ve been feeling better with every fight. I have just had to train smart, my fitness has been fantastic all year so it’s just about trying to peak at the right time, so I’m at the top of my game come fight night.”

Like every fighter who competes, there is an obsession behind every training session with the end goal of executing on the night and ultimately partaking in a perfect performance. But with the high standards that Moloney sets for himself, he always sees room for improvement, regardless of result.

“I felt like I did alright with my last fight,” he explained. “I had a couple of rounds in there – where I felt I took the foot off the pedal a bit – and just sort of tried to have a look at what he was doing. He was catching me with a few shots that I don’t usually get hit with. So I took my foot off the pedal and thought I’d stop being reckless and let myself have a good look at this guy.”

“I thought, I have ten rounds so I can back off a little bit, and get a good look at him. I adjusted and ended up coming away with a good body shot, I’m pretty hard on myself so I always think I can do better. But look, that was the hardest fight I’ve had and I came away with the victory, so onwards and upwards.”

At this stage of his fledgling professional career, it is all accumulating rounds against quality opponents, while working on any needed improvements. For those around Moloney, the biggest concern appears to be his lack of rounds. But as the ten-fight prospect admits, the transition into the later rounds is also a part of the learning curve.

“My last fight, that’s the furthest I have gone,” he concluded. “I still haven’t gone the ten round distance – but I know I can – I feel my fitness is there and I could’ve gone the distance comfortably. I’m still learning, I made a few mistakes in there, which going forward I can’t make against top-level fighters.”

“I’m really excited about my fight. As a genuine fight fan, a lot of my favourite fighters are Mexicans. They all have that come forward, all-action style which makes a great fight for the fans. That’s exactly what Bernache is going to bring and I’m expecting a really tough fight.”

“I think he is going to bring the best out of me and I think the fans are going to be in for a treat.”

To secure your tickets to Hosking Promotions ‘Punches at the Park II’, please click here.

Photo: Justin Gan