WBO #2, WBA #3, WBC #4, IBF #4 bantamweight Jason Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs) was victorious when Leonardo Baez (18-3, 9 KOs) couldn’t continue after seven rounds on Tuesday night inside “The Bubble” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Good win for Maloney, who broke down Baez on the inside. Jason’s twin brother Andrew, who lost his WBA super flyweight title on Tuesday in the same ring, was in Jason’s corner.
“That was the greatest moment of my career,” said Jason afterward. “It was tough watching my brother the other night, but I knew I had a job to do. Thank you to my team. I sacrificed so much for six weeks, leaving my fiancée and my baby. I’m just over the moon. My brother told me he loved me and that he was proud of me. He’ll be back better than ever. Trust me.”
Unbeaten WBA #6, WBO #7 super featherweight Abraham Nova (19-0, 14 KOs) had to work hard to beat Avery Sparrow (10-2, 3 KOs) by unanimous decision over ten rounds. Scores were 99-91, 97-93, 96-94.
Unbeaten featherweight Orlando Gonzalez (15-0, 10 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Luis Porozo (15-3, 8 KOs). Scores were 76-74, 77-73, 77-73. Gonzalez dropped Porozo in rounds two and seven. The Phantom Plunger, who bet $190,000+, won his $14k.
Heavyweight Kingsley Ibeh (4-1, 4 KOs) knocked out Waldo Cortes (5-3, 2 KOs) in round four to avenge his only career loss. Time was 1:41. Cortes won their first fight by split decision.
Welterweight Reymond Yanong (11-5-1, 9 KOs) won a six round split decision over Clay Burns (9-8-2, 4 KOs). Scores were 58-56, 59-55 Yanong, 58-56 Burns.
Welterweight Vlad Panin (8-1, 4 KOs) won a six round majority decision over Benjamin Whitaker (13-4, 3 KOs). Scores were 58-56, 58-56, 57-57.
Surprised Joe T. Didn’t mention that besides two twins fighting each other,Maloney-Baez,the referee is also a twin. Has to be a first that all three men in the ring are twins
Jason Moloney was tremendous tonight. He was active with his punching, maneuvered around Baez all night, and hit him with debilitating body shots. That’s the kind of fighter who can rise to the top of the division.
In contrast, I was extremely disappointed in Orlando Gonzalez. There was a lot of hype preceding his entrance into the ring, but he showed a lot of weaknesses. No jab, sporadic body attack, and didn’t let his hands go whenever Porozo was close enough for him to land combinations. Porozo was the quicker fighter and Gonzalez was surprisingly inactive a lot of the fight. He would close in on occasion, but not give himself room to punch and settled for clinches. He needs to develop a good jab and go to the body much more often. A disappointing performance for Gonzalez despite the win. He will find himself outhustled in future fights if he keeps looking for the perfect punch round after round.
Nova was also a disappointment. He just didn’t throw a lot of punches and Sparrow was outboxing him in the early rounds. Nova just wore him down, but I expected a much better performance from Nova in this fight. He’s another one that could get outworked in future fights.
Both Nova and Gonzalez should watch film of Moloney’s fight tonight. That’s how it’s done. Active and lots of body punching combined with a good jab to set it all up are the keys to success.
I hadn’t watched any of the Moloney twins matches before but I’m a fan of both fellows now. Very fan friendly and made for tv! Nova is lucky that sparrow isn’t a powerful puncher and no way he won by that wide of a decision. Another decent card this week!