Jason Moloney still remembers the punch that could’ve cost him a world title.

And likely would have too, were he made of something less than he is.

“Fractured the hand in Round four,” Moloney starts, recalling that gutsiest of WBO bantamweight title triumphs over Filipino Vincent Astrolabio last May.

When despite busting his power hand only a third of the way through that biggest fight of his life, he then battled through another eight more – or 24 minutes – knowing every time he landed, the pain would be “excruciating”.

Which matters.

Understanding that same right hand, Moloney is backing it to again make headlines this Sunday.

Boxing: Beterbiev v Smith, Moloney vs Sanchez SUN 14th JAN 12PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

Convinced that after going through his past seven fights with just one finish on the way to claiming WBO gold, he is now set to end American Saul Sanchez via “statement KO” in Quebec City, Canada this Sunday.

Which would be some resurrection for said fist, right?

“Oh, it’s been a process getting the hand back,” Moloney told Fox Sports Australia this week.

“The full extent of the injury, I can’t even really explain it.

“There wasn’t actually a break in the bone, it was tears in the joint capsule – ligament and tendon tears – which then takes longer to heal than a break.

“During the title fight, I remember hurting it as early as round four. And as the fight went on it became extremely painful …”

But the real drama?

“Round six,” Moloney continued.

“I hit Astrolabio with this peach of a right hand.

“It really should’ve knocked him out; and would’ve knocked most guys out …”

Instead, the tough Filipino wore it.

“Which absolutely shattered my hand,” Moloney said.

“Tore ligament, tendon, the impact was brutal.

“And while obviously you have that adrenaline rush through the fight, still every time I landed with the right from then on it was excruciating.

“By rounds eleven and twelve, I was still trying to land but remember thinking ‘this is hurting me more than it’s hurting him’.

“Still, I didn’t want to give Astrolabio the confidence of knowing I only had one hand so I just tried to hide it as best as I could.

“Tried using the left as much as I could, too.

“But I still threw the right because it was ‘must win’.

“I wasn’t worried about the damage it was doing, that was something to worry about later on.

“I just wanted to land the shots, not get hit, win that round.

“It was one at a time.”

Boxing: Beterbiev v Smith, Moloney vs Sanchez SUN 14th JAN 12PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

And, eventually, one at a time, Moloney got it done.

But as for now defending WBO gold?

“When it comes to the right hand,” he says, “I’ve got a lot of confidence back”.

Already ranked the world’s No.1 bantamweight by Ring magazine, Moloney now this Sunday on a hyped Top Rank card headlined by Canadian light heavyweight champ Artur Beterbiev (19-0), who defends against Englishman Callum Smith (29-1).

Elsewhere on the card, Australian super middleweight Rohan Murdock (27-2) also has his own massive fight against undefeated Frenchman Christian Mbilli (25-0).

While Moloney has not fought since winning his world title, and fracturing that hand, he insists the layoff now has him ready to add to his record of 19 KOs.

“Because he (Sanchez) is an aggressive, come forward fighter – and I love that,” the champ said.

“I want them to come forward.

“The more aggressive he becomes, the more he wants it, the easier he is to take out.

“That’s the beautiful part of this sport.

“The survivors, they’re hard to knock out.

“But the guy who wants to win, who wants to bring the fight … that’s a dangerous recipe.”

Still, Moloney is aware of the challenge he faces, too.

“I know he’s going to be extremely hungry,” the 32-year-old continued.

“And while I have spoken about (future) fights, I’m certainly not looking past this guy.

“Because there’s no easy fights for me now.

“And he (Sanchez) is a tough, strong fighter who will try to bring a lot of pressure.

“He’s coming off a good win in Japan against a very good fighter (RV Deniega) and feels he’s earned his chance to be on the other side of the ring fighting for a world title.

“He’s a decent puncher too.

“Heavy hands, dangerous.

“But I just feel I’m a class above.

“And while I don’t like talking that way, I really do believe that I’m the best in the division.

“Which is why I want to put on an impressive performance.

“Stop him and really make a statement.

“Show the rest of this division what I’m all about.

“I really believe I’m the best bantamweight in the world and now I need to prove that.

“So I’ll break him down and then knock him down in impressive fashion.”

Boxing: Beterbiev v Smith, Moloney vs Sanchez SUN 14th JAN 12PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports