Tag Archives: twins

A KO and a Quit as Moloney Twins Set Sail For the US

Posted on 06/15/2019

By: Ste Rowen

In New South Wales’ Seagulls Rugby Club, Jason and Andrew Moloney earnt very different victories as they prepare to make the move to America and boxing’s mainstream. Jason, a former challenger to the IBF bantamweight crown, overcame Tanzanian, Goodluck Mrema, whilst brother Andrew earlier in the card had a brief night as his particular Tanzanian opponent, Selemani Bangaiza refused to continue midway through the 2nd round.

Jason Moloney headlined the card and the man across the ring, Goodluck, was game in the opening two rounds but was struggling to keep up with the pace set by the former world title challenger. Then in the 3rd round Moloney blocked a sloppy right hand from Mrema and countered with his own left hook that landed perfectly to the jaw and sent ‘no’ Goodluck spiralling to the canvas and ultimately, to defeat.

Around an hour after his brother’s bout failed to deliver, at least the crowd were able to witness a KO victory from one of the main attractions, and Jason, now 19-1 (16KOs), spoke post-fight,
‘‘He came to push me a little bit…Now we’re ready take anyone on in the division.

I want to fight the number one contender, Liborio Solis, and we’re ready.’’

Moloney sits 3rd in the WBA’s rankings, where Nonito Donaire is the champion at bantamweight, but although Jason is targeting Solis, there are rumours that the bogeyman, Guillermo Rigondeaux is ready to return to the title bouts, which could scupper the 28-year-old’s plans.

Andrew Moloney ensured he got the job done in front of a home crowd in New South Wales as he took just two rounds to force the stoppage against late callup, Selemani Bangaiza.

Bangaiza’s body was battered throughout by the Australian, now 20-0 (13KOs), in the short period he spent in the ring and in the 2nd, after yet another jab to the body, the Tanzanian, whilst still standing, lifted his right arm, spat out his gum shield and left no doubt that he wanted to quit, drawing both boos and cheers from the partisan crowd.

‘‘I’m sorry for all the people who flew in tonight.’’ Moloney said apologetically to the crowd. ‘‘I wanted it to go a little longer and put on a better performance.

I’m in the mandatory position for the title, and hopefully that will come later this year or next, that’s why we would’ve liked a much tougher fight.’’
Currently campaigning at super-flyweight, ‘The Monster’ Moloney now signed with promotional juggernaut, Top Rank, is mandatory for Kal Yafai’s WBA strap and sits 3rd in the WBC rankings where Juan Francisco Estrada holds the gold.

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Fight Preview: Moloney Twins vs. Tanzanian Late Call-Ups

Posted on 06/14/2019

By: Ste Rowen

In the early hours of Saturday for most, but prime time in Australia, Moloney twins Jason and Andrew each take on opponent’s that they hope will lift them into world title contention in the bantamweight and super-flyweight divisions respectively.

At Seagulls Rugby League Club in New South Wales, bantamweight, Jason, 18-1 (15KOs) has already, once before had his chance for a championship belt when he entered the World Boxing Super Series but was beaten at the first hurdle by then IBF titlist, Emmanuel Rodriguez. It’s been almost eight months since that split decision loss in Orlando but Moloney remains confident not only that he defeated Rodriguez but that he has the tools to take on the biggest and the best at 118lb,

‘‘I feel I beat Rodriguez but that is in the past. I want world titles this year so for me a fight with the WBA number one (Liborio) Solis for the world title is one that I would love.
There’s talk of Rigondeaux fighting at bantamweight too. If I had to fight him, I would do it happily.’’

In his last outing, Jason ‘The Smooth One’ dismantled Cris Paulino inside five rounds which was set to lead the Australian into a bout with Cesar Ramirez of Mexico, but due to a late pull out Moloney will instead share the ring with 23-4 (13KOs), Goodluck Mrema. The Tanzanian may have a similar record to Jason’s original opponent but, as long as the home fighter continues to impress, he should deal with Saturday’s opponent handily. Goodluck hasn’t had much luck in his run of previous fights; he went three for three in 2018 and two of those defeats were stoppage losses including a 1st round KO defeat to Marlon Tapales.

But, with a second world title shot on the horizon, 28-year-old, Moloney promises fans he’s not taking his new opponent lightly,
‘‘I always prepare correctly no matter the circumstances. It’s what being a professional is all about…You can never overlook any opponent, look what happened to Anthony Joshua last week. I can’t let slip ups like that happen to me.’’
The Australian sits third in both the WBA and WBC rankings so any, as Moloney put it, slip ups at the weekend, and he could kiss goodbye to his world championship hopes any time soon.

Andrew Moloney will be hoping to catch up to his brother’s progress in the pro ranks sooner rather than later as well on Saturday night. Though Andrew remains unbeaten with a record of, 19-0 (12KOs), ‘The Monster’ has yet to challenge for a world championship belt. So far, Moloney’s biggest victory came in his final fight of 2018 when he defeated Luis Concepcion in the 10th and final round.

Since the impressive Concepcion victory nine months ago, like his brother, Andrew has fought just once, an 8th round stoppage of Miguel Gonzalez in a WBA title eliminator at super-flyweight, with the current superfly WBA champion being Great Britain’s, Kal Yafai, a man that ‘The Monster’ has never been afraid to call out,
‘‘As people know, I’m on the verge of becoming mandatory for Kal Yafai and that’s the fight I want. If not him then another world champion. I just want to be a world champion and I believe I will become one in 2019.’’

The parallels with his brother continue as Andrew will be facing a late change of opponent in another Tanzanian, and baby-faced, Selemani Bangaiza, 15-5 (5KOs), but Moloney despite talking of a big future and this possibly being his last fight in Australia, also promises he has his feet on the ground to ensure he puts on a show for his home crowd,
‘‘I intend on putting on an explosive display on Saturday night and show why I believe I’m the best 115-pounder in the world.
It’s a dream to be signed to Top Rank and it reiterates why I have to be on fire this weekend. This could be my last fight in Australia for a long time and if it is, I want to make sure it’s a performance people remember.’’

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Twin Power: The Charlo Brothers

Posted on 04/25/2017

Twin Power: The Charlo Brothers
By: Kirk Jackson

One half of the powerful twin tag team duo was on display this past weekend as Jermell Charlo29-0 (14 KO’s) successfully defended his WBC junior middleweight title, stopping Charles Hatley26-2-1 via 6th round knockout.

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In his first defense of his WBC title against the no.1 contender, Charloshowcased a wide range of skills.Displaying offensive versatility;stiff jabs, accurate straight punches, counter left hooks, punching power and range-awareness.
Charlo rocked Hatleyin the 2nd round, dropped Hatley with a right hand in the 3rd round and ultimately finished him in the 6th round.

A boxing-brother tandem issomething we’ve witnessed in the sport as there are many successful examples throughout history.

Juan Manuel and Rafael Marquez, Koki, Daiki and Tomoki Kameda, Ricky and Matthew Hatton, Michael and Leon Spinks, Roger, Jeff and Floyd Mayweather Sr., Vitali and WladimirKlitschko who reigned as heavyweight kings for more than a decade.

The Charlo brothers appear to be the next tandem to take over and they are twins – the Charlo brothers are only the second set of twins to hold world titles at the same time.

The first is Khaosai Galaxy (junior bantamweight) and Khaokor Galaxy (bantamweight), of Thailand, briefly holding world titles simultaneously in the late 1980s.

Jermell aims to dominate the junior middleweight division now that his twin Jermall moved up to the middleweight division.

The younger twin brother (one minute younger) spoke of his ambitions post-fight after defeating Hatley. “They got a guy named JarretHurd that took my brother’s title – we could unify,” said Jermell Charlo.

Hurd 20-0 (14 KO’s) recently won the IBF junior middleweight title Jermall Charlo 25-0 (19 KO’s) vacated in February.
The possibility of facing and potentially defeating another undefeated champion, while adding an additional world title is a great accomplishment and feather on the cap.

The other champions in the division are stable mate Erislandy Lara (WBA) 22-2-2 (14 KO’s) and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (WBO) 48-1-1 (34 KO’s).

Lara and the Charlo brothers shared the same trainer, Ronnie Shields. Although Jermell is no longer with Shields, the prospect of Jermell and Lara fighting is less than likely.

It’s also unlikely we’ll see Jermell vs. Alvarez, with Alvarez facing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at 164 lbs. and the Mexican star probably staying in the middleweight division after his clash with Chavez Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Canelo’s ascension towards middleweight does open the door for Jermall however.

Another notable name in the division is the former WBO junior middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade 24-0 (16 KO’s).

He currently holds a portion of the WBA title – one of the many fragments and is adamant on beating both Charlo brothers.

A fight between the two needs to happen. The winner has the opportunity to unify titles in the division and may establish himself as not only the best at 154, but as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in boxing.

Regarding Jermall at 160 lbs., he is ranked no.2 according to the WBC middleweight rankings and intends on becoming the mandatory challenger for Gennady Golovkin’s 37-0 (33 KO’s) WBC title. However he must defeat Argentinian Jorge Sebastian Heiland to secure that position.

Jermall had a solid run at 154, defeating a faded world titlist at the time Cornelius Bundrage, a strong former champion Austin Trout and one of the best, undefeated, world contenders Julian Williams.

The older twin brother was a terror at junior middleweight; technically sound, a nice blend of overall speed, punching power and athleticism.

If Jermall can carry these traits to middleweight, he’ll present problems to anyone.

Match-ups against Alvarez, Chavez, Golovkin sound intriguing on paper. Even match-ups against some of the other factors at middleweight; WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders, former titlists Danny Jacobs, David Lemieux and Andy Lee, all sound like interesting fights.

It’s just a matter of manifesting. Can each brother put a strangle hold on their respective division?

Will this be the year the twin tag team takes over boxing?

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Showtime World Championship Boxing Preview: Lara vs. Martirosyan, Charlo vs. Trout, Charlo vs. Jackson

Posted on 05/19/2016

Showtime World Championship Boxing Preview: Lara vs. Martirosyan, Charlo vs. Trout, Charlo vs. Jackson
By: William Holmes

On Saturday night Mayweather Promotions will team up with TGB Promotions to showcase three bouts live from the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. All three bouts will be competed in the junior middleweight division and the WBA, IBF, and WBC belts will be up for grabs.

Erislandy Lara will defend his WBA Junior Middleweight belt in the main event of the evening, while Jermall Charlo will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Belt against former champion Austin Trout in the co-main event of the evening, and Jermell Charlo will open up the broadcast against John Jackson for the vacant WBC Junior Middleweight Title.

The following is a preview of all three bouts.

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Jermell Charlo (27-0) vs. John Jackson (20-2); WBC Junior Middleweight Title

The opening bout of the night will be for the vacant WBC Junior Middleweight Title.

Jermell Charlo is only twenty five years old, but he has already beaten the likes of Joachim Alcine, Vanes Martirosyan, Charlie Ota, Gabriel Rosado, Demetrius Hopkins, and Harry Joe Yorgey.

He will be one inch shorter than his opponent and will be giving up two inches in reach. He is also two years younger than Jackson and both boxers are in their athletic primes.

They have similar amateur experience. Charlo won the Bronze medal in the 2005 Junior Olympics and turned professional at a young age in 2007. Jackson represented the Virgin Islands in the 2008 Summer Olympics, but did not achieve much success on the international stage.

Jackson’s professional resume pales in comparison to Charlo. His only notable victories, if you can call them that, were to KeAndrae Leatherwood and Cerreso Fort. He has lost to the likes of Willie Nelson and Andy Lee.

Neither boxer is known for their power, Charlo has twelve knockout victories during his career and Jackson has fifteen. Jackson’s chin however was shown to be prone to a knockout when Andy Lee crumpled him in 2014.

Jackson fought once in 2015 and twice in 2014, but this is by far his toughest matchup since his loss to Lee. Charlo fought three times in 2014 and twice in 2015 and has never tasted defeat.

Every time Jackson has faced competition that is on the same level or higher as him he has come up short, and Saturday will likely be no different.

Jermall Charlo (23-0) vs. Austin Trout (30-2); IBF Junior Middleweight Title

On paper, the second bout of the night will likely be the most competitive bout.

Austin Trout became a well known name in boxing when he had a stunning upset over Miguel Cotto in 2012. However, he followed up that loss with two consecutive losses to Saul Alvarez and Erislandy Lara and has been struggling to regain his championship status since that loss. Other notable opponents that Trout has defeated include Joey Hernandez, Daniel Dawson, and Delvin Rodriguez.

Charlo, the older of the twin brothers, won his IBF belt with a victory over Cornelius “K9” Bundrage. His other notable victories include Wilky Campfort, Cornelius Bundrage, and Michael Finney.

Charlo will have a slight one and a half inch reach advantage, but will also have a notable two and a half inch height advantage. His is also five years younger than his opponent at the age of twenty five.

Both boxers had successful amateur careers and came close to making the US Olympic team, Charlo in 2008 and Trout in 2004.

Charlo has the stronger punch of the two. He has eighteen stoppage victories as a professional while Trout has seventeen stoppages with nine more bouts. Charlo has also stopped four of his past five opponents.

Trout was never able to capitalize on his victory over Cotto and hasn’t been a major player in the junior middleweight division since his back to back losses to Alvarez and Lara. He’ll be Charlo’s toughest opponent to date and he’s still in his athletic prime, but Charlo should be able to outbox and out muscle Trout over the course of twelve rounds.

Erislandy Lara (22-2-2) vs. Vanes Martirosyan (36-2-1); WBA Junior Middleweight Title

This bout is a rematch of their 2012 encounter that ended in a draw. This is despite the fact Lara landed forty two percent of his power punches in comparison to the sixteen percent that Martirosyan landed, and the fact Lara landed seventy four punches during that bout in comparison to the thirty three punces that Martirosyan was able to land.

Despite the statistical advantage that Lara had, the judges somehow scored it 87-84 for Lara, 86-85 for Martirosyan, and 86-86.

Lara, at the age of thirty three years old, is nearing the end of his physical prime. He’s a southpaw that will have a four inch reach advantage over Martirosyan but will be giving up two and a half inches in height. Martirosyan is three years younger than Lara.

Martirosyan does have the edge in power, as he has stopped twenty one of his opponents while Lara has only stopped twelve of his opponents.

They both fought twice in 2014 and in 2015. They both also had successful amateur careers. Martirosyan represented the United States in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Lara won the gold medal in the 2005 World Amateur Championships and was favored to win the 2008 Summer Olympics before defecting from Cuba.

Lara has the more impressive resume. He has defeated the likes of Jan Zaveck, Delvin Rodriguez, Ishe Smith, Austin Trout, Alfredo Angulo, and Freddy Hernandez. His losses were to Paul Williams and Canelo Alvarez, and arguments could be made that he should have won both of those bouts.
Martirosyan has defeated the likes of Ishe Smith, Willie Nelson, Ryan Davis, and Kassim Ouma. He has lost to the likes of Demetrius Andrade and Jermell Charlo.

Many felt Lara won their first bout and even though Lara is getting older, he hasn’t shown signs of slipping in the ring. Martirosyan on the other hand has gone 2-3 in his last five fights and squeaked out a decision against Ishe Smith and was dominated by Jermell Charlo.

The biggest knock against Lara is that he does not have a crowd pleasing style, but it’s hard to imagine him not being more aggressive and active in this bout. Lara should win the rematch, and likely in much more convincing fashion than in 2012.

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