Australia’s Jason Moloney has been warned his hyped Filipino rival will trying to “f*****g humiliate him” in this weekend’s world title blockbuster in America – while also receiving a Catholic blessing lifted straight from Rocky II.
In what will be his third shot at becoming a world boxing champion, Moloney throws down for the WBO bantamweight crown against Vincent Astrolabio inside California’s Stockton Arena, Sunday.
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Apart from being promoted by boxing megastar Manny Pacquiao, Astrolabio is also on a run of six straight wins – five of which have come via KO or TKO.
Team Moloney have also warned their charge to expect a rival who will be looking to intimidate and embarrass, especially if he lands a knockdown like he did three times in his most recent win over Russia’s Nikolai Potapov.
“Jason knows if Astrolabio gets the chance, he will try to f*****g humiliate him,” trainer Angelo Hyder told Fox Sports Australia this week.
“We know he will do the neck slice gestures, do the staredown, the pushing, whatever he can.
“But Jase being aware of all that, it’s really put a fire in him.
“As a fighter too, Astrolabio has plenty of tricks.
“He throws a lot of uppercuts, hooks, jumps in, he’s got quite an unusual style.
“In saying that, I expect Jason to cut him to pieces.
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“But if this bloke has some tricks, and we have to beat him at his own game, we’re happy to do that too.
“We’re not turning up with one f*****g ace.
“We’ve got all four.
“And we’re prepared to pull out whichever one is required at whichever time.”
Asked about his rival, Moloney said: “When he knocks opponents down, he likes to get in their face.
“And with fighters like that, most of the time they’re front runners.
“Which I think is the case with Astrolabio.
“If you allow him to get his confidence up, he will be pulling that type of stuff.
“But I’m aiming to get in there and break his will quickly.
“If the fight goes how I want, he won’t have the confidence to be doing any of those antics.
“He’ll realise quickly he’s never been in with a fighter like me.
“So I don’t think there will be too much showboating … there will be too much coming back at him for that.”
Elsewhere, Team Moloney also revealed Jason and twin brother Andrew – who fights for his own world title a week later – have both received blessings from a US arch bishop.
The dedication was organised by famed American boxing commentator Colonel Bob Sheridan, who is close to the team of Australia’s fighting brothers.
While not exactly Rocky Balboa pulling up outside the church of Father Carmine on his way to a fight, Moloney said he appreciated “anyone who wants to say a prayer for me”.
“But,” the fighter added, “I really believe the result of this fight is up to me”.
In 27 professional appearances, Moloney has only lost twice – and both times in previous world title fights.
The first of those came in 2018, a controversial split decision loss against Emmanuel Rodriguez for the IBF strap.
The second, meanwhile, was three years back against Naoya Inoue – the Japanese superstar who, now widely regarded as the planet’s best, only recently moved up in weight.
Despite eventually being stopped by Inoue, Moloney remains one of the few fighters to have even taken rounds from a fighter undefeated in 11 years and 24 fights.
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“Losing that fight — devastating,” Moloney concedes.
“But being in there with a fighter like Inoue and, like you said, taking rounds from him – not many people have done that before.
“And I learned a lot from that.
“Just as I know all my experiences will help me this weekend.
“I’ve been in the ring with much better opposition than Astrolabio. I’ve beaten much better opposition.
“And all those experiences – the highs, the lows, all of it — are going to help me this weekend. Everything comes down to this weekend.”
Asked how far his game had improved since even his last world title appearance, Moloney continued: “I’d destroy the old version of Jason Moloney.
“That’s what excites me.
“Sure, I still wish I’d won those two title fights.
“But those losses have shaped me and helped me to become a much better fighter.
“Now it’s my time.
“I believe I’m the best bantamweight in the world. I just need to go out there and prove it.”