Jason Moloney vs. Saul Sanchez: WBO bantamweight champion out to prove he’s top dog in 2024

Jason Moloney enters 2024 on a mission to prove he’s the best bantamweight on the planet.

The Australian currently holds the WBO title at 118-pounds and will look to make his first defence against California’s Saul Sanchez in Quebec, Canada this Saturday, January 13 (Jan. 14 in Australia).

After what he hopes is a statement victory over Sanchez, Moloney’s sights are set on a unification bout with IBF champion and, along with Naoya Inoue, one of only two men to defeat him, Emmanuel “Manny” Rodriguez.

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“That’s the top of the wishlist for me,” Moloney told Sporting News when asked about the possibility of a Rodriguez rematch.

“If I could choose the next fight, that’s the one.”

Following his unanimous decision win over Vincent Astrolabio last May, Moloney is one of three current male world champions from Australia, all of whom have genuine claims as being the best in their respective divisions.

Jai Opetaia holds the Ring belt at cruiserweight and has despatched two challengers in devastating fashion in recent months, while most rankings have WBO beltholder Tim Tszyu behind only the absent Jermell Charlo at super welterweight.

The Ring belt can only be captured by defeating the champion or, in the case of a vacant title, when the number one and two ranked contenders face each other.

Moloney is currently in the number one spot with the publication, with Rodriguez, who defeated him via razor-thin split decision back in 2018, just behind, meaning a meeting between the pair could have a third strap on the line.

“I’ve got so much respect for The Ring Magazine, it’s such a prestigious title and to be ranked number one is amazing but that definitely is a dream of mine to hold that belt and obviously the added attraction of getting that revenge over Manny Rodriguez, which I’m so keen to do,” he said.

“I’m not looking past Sanchez but a good win here and setting up a unification fight with Manny would be ideal, for that Ring Magazine, the IBF and the WBO.

“That’s a real legacy fight and it would feel amazing to get that revenge over him because I believe I won that first time around but would love to right that wrong.”

Moloney revealed he and Rodriguez have exchanged messages over social media with a view to sharing the ring for a second time.

“There’s been a couple of DMs over Instagram with me and Manny,” he added.

“We’ve both definitely shared our keenness for the fight to happen. 

“I think he’s got his next fight locked in now and I’ve obviously got this one to focus on but, should we both be successful, we’re both very keen to make that fight happen. 

“Hopefully both our promoters can come to an agreement and we can put that fight on and, if we can do it in Australia, that would be just even sweeter.

“There hasn’t been any insults, I think there’s a level of mutual respect that we’ve got having shared the 12 rounds, but we’re competitive guys who both believe that we’re better than each other. 

“He’s a champion now and I’m a champion now, there’s no better time to do it again, in the unification fight when the stakes are even higher. 

“I’m confident that I’ve improved so much since that first fight and I’d take good care of him this time.”

But before then, Moloney has to get by Sanchez, something he’s extremely confident of doing, having sacrificed Christmas with his young family to put the finishing touches on his training camp in Las Vegas.

“I just believe that I’m all round, a much better fighter than he is and it’s time to prove that,” he said.

“I’m supremely confident because of the work I’ve put in and the sacrifices I’ve made, not only this camp but over the past 20 years that I’ve been boxing. 

“There’s no way I’m going to let this belt go and I’m so determined to keep charging forward and achieve a lot more in this sport.

“He’s never been in the ring with anyone like me and I plan on showing the levels to this sport and taking him out in good fashion.”

Appearing on the undercard to the WBC, WBO and IBF light heavyweight world title bout between Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith, Moloney will be fighting in North America for the second time in a row.

The Aussie, who turns 33 on Wednesday, is hoping he can return to action on home soil as part of a blockbuster event headlined by George Kambosos and Vasiliy Lomachenko in the first half of this year.

Moloney and his twin brother Andrew fought on both undercards as Kambosos faced Devin Haney for the undisputed lightweight title in back-to-back rematches in 2022.

The Kambosos-Lomachenko showdown is reportedly set for April or May, a perfect timeline should Moloney get through Sanchez unscathed.

“I’d love to be a part of the show, given it will be a Top Rank promotion,” Moloney said.

“I’ve got to make sure I get past Sanchez this weekend and make sure I have an impressive win and no doubt Top Rank would like me on the show. 

“I’ll just make sure I make this one impressive, a good fight to watch for the fans and get the job done. 

“If I can have a unification fight on that show, that’s the goal, that’s the dream.”