Andrew Moloney goes into the biggest fight of his life tomorrow when he locks horns with Japan’s Junto Nakatani. The pair fight for the vacant WBO super flyweight world title on the undercard of Devin Haney Vs Vasyl Lomachenko at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Moloney spoke exclusively to ProBox TV News to give his final thoughts ahead of his showdown with Nakatani.
“I saw him at the press conference yesterday, obviously I just saw him at the weigh-in and he is exactly what I expected.” Moloney said in response to what he made of his opponent in the flesh.
Moloney (25-2, 16 KOs) sounded enthused on our phone call not long after the official weigh-in as fans and apparently Mark Kriegel did their best to interrupt our chat.
“I’m actually feeling more confident than I have before any fight.” Moloney calmly stated. “That probably seems strange because I’m the underdog, and it is probably the hardest fight of my career on paper, but I just feel like this is my time. Camp has been perfect and obviously my brother winning his world title last weekend, it just feels like destiny.”
Moloney saw his brother Jason claim the bantamweight world title over Vincent Astrolabio last weekend as the twin brothers look to take two world titles back to Australia.
“It has put such a positive energy in our team and everything feels like it just falling into place with the story unfolding how it was supposed to.” Moloney continued. “We are all in a great place and just very confident. I can’t wait for tomorrow night, I’m in the lobby of the MGM at the moment and there has been a real buzz around Vegas for Haney and Loma. It really feels like that big fight feeling in Vegas that I am just blessed to be a part of. It’s a real pleasure to fight on this card, to fight for a world title on it makes it even sweeter. This is a special way to win a world title, that’s for sure. I’ve been here all week and loved all the build up with the grand arrivals, press conferences and all the media stuff. The whole experience is something else mate.
“Everything has been perfect. We had the weigh-in this morning at 9am which obviously gives us a lot of time to rehydrate and refuel, which is great. Then we have a pretend weigh-in for the public now, which will be pretty strange because we are all a bit drained usually, everyone will look all well fed.”
Nakatani poses quite the task ahead of becoming world champion. A former flyweight world champion with a record of 24-0 (18 KOs).
“I’m preparing for the hardest fight of my career.” Moloney added. “We have a very good game plan, if I stick to that, back myself and do what we have done in training I can make it easy for myself as well. I really feel like I have gone to another level in this camp, I just got to do what I’ve been doing in the gym and I walk out with that belt. That is all that matters to me, winning that world title and me and Jason going home to our friends and family with two world titles. It would just be the most special moment in the world.”
