Andrew Moloney claimed the IBF junior bantamweight title with a majority decision victory over Willibaldo Garcia in Tokoname, Japan. The judges scored the bout 115-113 (twice) and 114-114 in favour of the Australian who, in victory, invited Jesse \u201cBam\u201d Rodriguez to be his next dance partner.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a long, hard road to get this world title, but we finally got it done,\u201d Moloney told ESPN afterwards. \u201cThis means everything to me. My whole life has been dedicated to being a world champion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garcia, 23-7-2 (13 KOs), applied pressure from the opening bell but Moloney, in control, countered masterfully to both body and head. Such was Moloney\u2019s class, which was trumping the champion\u2019s determined but crude forward motion, he took five of the first six rounds on all cards.<\/p>\n
The Mexican, always pressuring, rallied from the seventh round, however. Moloney, 29-4 (18 KOs), suddenly looked a little bedraggled and, by the eighth, was nursing two cuts above his eyes.<\/p>\n
It would take a rally in the 12th and final round to swing things Moloney\u2019s way again. He would take it on all three judges\u2019 cards to eke out a narrow triumph.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to dig deep in that final round,\u201d Moloney said. \u201cWe pulled it out. I couldn\u2019t be happier.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for what\u2019s next, the new champion said: \u201cI\u2019d love the undisputed fight with \u2018Bam\u2019. That\u2019s the biggest prize in boxing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sikho Nqothole, who last week beat Charlie Edwards to secure mandatory status with the IBF, might have something to say about that.<\/p>\n