TOKONAME, Japan -- Australia's Andrew Moloney scored the biggest win of his boxing career Saturday, outpointing Willibaldo Garcia to become the IBF super flyweight champion of the world and put himself in the frame to fight unbeaten superstar Jesse Rodriguez for undisputed status in the 115-pound division.
The 35-year-old fighter out of Kingscliff revealed earlier in the week he rejected a lucrative US$250,000 (AU$350,000) step aside package from Matchroom Boxing earlier in the year, and his decision to chase belts instead of dollars was vindicated over 12 rounds at the Aichi Sky Expo in central Japan. Moloney absorbed everything the aggressive, yet stylistically awkward Garcia threw at him and overcame cuts above both eyes to prevail, albeit by a tight majority decision (115-113, 114-114, 115-113).
When the judges' verdict was revealed in centre ring, an emotional Moloney (29-4, 18 KOs) dropped to his knees and covered his face with his hands. He then picked up his new world championship belt, draped it over his left shoulder, and climbed the ropes with his fists pointed skyward as his 50-person-strong entourage cheered in delight from the seats below.
"It's been a long, hard road to get this world title, but we finally got it done," an elated Moloney told ESPN in his dressing room. "This means everything to me. My whole life has been dedicated to being a world champion. I've had to make so many sacrifices in everything that I've done and it's all been towards achieving this. This is a lifetime's worth of work for this moment. To get it done, and to be leaving Japan as the IBF world champion ... it's amazing. It's hard to put it into words."
There was clear intent from Moloney to not allow Garcia (23-7-2, 13 KOs) to control the in-tight battles, a strategy the Mexican has benefitted from greatly en route to taking hold of the world title last year. Instead, Moloney displayed masterful technique and patience, countering off the back foot with repeated rapid-fire shots to Garcia's body, and occasionally slipping a jab threw his gloves and catching him on his chin.
All three judges had Moloney winning five of the first six rounds, before the momentum began to shift in favour of the champ. Garcia raised his level and ratcheted up the pressure, swinging harder and beginning to find a way through Moloney's defences, opening a second cut above his eyes in the seventh round. Had Moloney not finished the final round with a flurry, he may not have exited the ring with the belt wrapped around his waist. His aggressive and efficient final frame was scored 10-9 by all three of the Nobuto Ikehara, Koji Tanaka, and Saemi Okaniwa judging trio.
"I thought I got off to a good start and then lost a bit of momentum about three quarters of the way through the fight. Going into the last round I felt like I probably need this," said Moloney. "I've been there before where I've lost a world title by one round. I just wasn't prepared to let that happen again. I had to dig deep in that last round, and that's what we did. We pulled it out. I'm the happiest man in the world right now."
Saturday's triumph in Tokoname reversed a frustrating trend for Moloney of coming up short on the biggest boxing stages. For so much of his career it's been razor thin margins separating him from true greatness and widespread global recognition.
Andrew Moloney is all smiles after winning the IBF super flyweight title against Willibaldo Garcia in Tokoname. pic.twitter.com/KIt83fRyrN
— Jake Michaels (@JMichaelsESPN) June 6, 2026
His first world title fight against Joshua Franco in June, 2020 may have ended in a loss by unanimous decision, but Moloney was in full control of their rematch six months later. He opened a cut above the American's right eye, which prompted ringside physicians to step in and stop the bout after the second round, due to swelling. Referee Russell Mora declared the result a no contest, however, stating the injury was caused by an accidental head-butt. Controversy ensued, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission consulted instant replay for more than 20 minutes before declaring the no contest would stand.
Moloney's fourth title fight, for the WBO super flyweight strap in May, 2023, also ended in heartbreak, stopped in the dying seconds of the final round by Japan's Junto Nakatani with a brutal, perfectly-timed punch.
More recently, Moloney's dealt with the controversial points defeat to Mexico's Pedro Guevara in Perth when fighting for the WBC interim super flyweight title, one that prompted him to later declare he was quitting the sport for good. He quickly backflipped on that decision and entered into a near year-long back-and-forth with another Mexican, Argi Cortes, for a world title eliminator. The unprofessionalism and unreasonable demands of Cortes and his team meant that fight failed to come to fruition and the IBF later awarded Moloney the opportunity to challenge Garcia on neutral territory for the IBF strap.
"I've proven that I'll fight anyone. I'd love the undisputed fight against Bam. That's the biggest prize in boxing, undisputed, with all of the belts on the line," Moloney told ESPN. "I'll back myself, prepare 100% and go out there and give it absolutely everything I've got. I believe on my night I can beat anyone in the division. But if he's going to move up in weight, there's talk about maybe [Masamichi] Yabuki moving up. I'm more than happy to have that fight next, too."
A date with WBO, WBA, WBC title holder Rodriguez may now be on his mind, but Moloney might need to first defend his belt against Sikho Nqothole of South Africa, who became mandatory IBF challenger after his upset win over Charlie Edwards in London last weekend. There could also be a push to have a rematch with Garcia, given the evenness of this contest.
Yabuki dominated the main event of the Tokoname card, defending his IBF flyweight title by unanimous decision against Mexican challenger Rene Calixto. The card also featured Filipino fighter John Riel Casimero, who sent Luis Nery of Mexico to the canvas with a brutal fourth-round knockout. On Friday, Nery had failed to make weight, tipping the scales 3.2 pounds over the limit. The fight went ahead after he had passed a 10-pound rehydration clause on Saturday morning.
Results from 3150 FIGHT vol.10 in Tokoname, Japan:
Andrew Moloney def. Willibaldo Garcia by majority decision for the IBF world super flyweight title
Masamichi Yabuki def. Rene Calixto by unanimous decision to defend the IBF world flyweight title
John Riel Casimero def. Luis Nery by fourth round TKO
Michael Angeletti def. Kenneth Llover by unanimous decision
Nurzhigit Dyushebaev def. Seiya Meguro by fourth round TKO
Aoi Yokoyama def. Vince Paras by unanimous decision
Here's how fight night in Tokoname, Japan unfolded:
