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July ninth, 2021
9 months after boxing’s most controversial conclusion of 2020, WBA tremendous flyweight world champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco and Australia’s former world champion Andrew Moloney will settle the rating within the third chapter of their rivalry Saturday, Aug. 14 at Onerous Rock Dwell at Onerous Rock Resort & On line casino Tulsa.
Within the 10-round co-feature, undefeated WBO Worldwide junior welterweight champion Arnold Barboza Jr. will tackle Antonio “Tono” Moran.
The four-round middleweight particular attraction will see the extremely anticipated skilled debut of Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, in opposition to an opponent to be named.
This titanic Tulsa tripleheader will probably be televised dwell on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Andrew’s twin brother, bantamweight contender Jason “Mayhem” Moloney, will struggle Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer Jr. in a 10-rounder that will probably be among the many undercard fights streaming dwell and solely on ESPN+ earlier than the televised tripleheader. Tulsa fan-favorite Trey Lippe Morrison (17-0, 17 KOs) and rising junior light-weight prospect Karlos Balderas (9-1, 8 KOs) will struggle on the undercard in six-round bouts, whereas Tulsa-born heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (3-0, 3 KOs) will see motion in a four-rounder.
Promoted by Prime Rank, in affiliation with Tony Holden Productions and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets beginning at $49.50 go on sale Tuesday, July 13 at 10 a.m. CST and could be bought at tickets.hardrockcasinotulsa.com and on the Field Workplace at 918-384-ROCK (7625).
“The Onerous Rock and the struggle followers of Tulsa are in for a deal with with a grudge match between Franco and Moloney, an all-action struggle between Barboza and Moran, and the skilled debut of a particular younger man in Nico Ali Walsh,” stated Prime Rank chairman Bob Arum.
Franco (17-1-2, 8 KOs), from San Antonio, Texas, upset Moloney (21-1, 14 KOs) by way of unanimous determination final June to win the world title. Of their November 2020 rematch, Moloney dominated Franco over the primary two rounds earlier than swelling below Franco’s proper eye prompted the struggle to be stopped. Many ringside observers believed a punch precipitated the injury, which might’ve resulted in a TKO victory for Moloney. The referee in Nevada decided the swelling got here from a headbutt, and following a virtually 30-minute replay assessment, a no contest meant Franco retained his title. The controversy didn’t subside, and fewer than one month after the disputed conclusion, the WBA mandated a 3rd struggle.
“I’m very excited for this third struggle with Moloney. I’ve been making ready very effectively for this struggle, and I’m feeling stronger than ever,” Franco stated. “I hope everyone tunes in come struggle evening as a result of it’s going to be one to recollect. I’ll remind Moloney why I’m the champ. And nonetheless!”
Moloney stated, “I’ve needed to wait 9 months to as soon as once more struggle for what ought to have been mine again in November. There is no such thing as a method I’ll be leaving that ring with out my world title this time. I’m certain when he seems to be at himself within the mirror, he is aware of deep down he’s not the actual champion. He is aware of there was no head conflict. I’ve stayed within the fitness center and used this time to enhance as a fighter. He’s up in opposition to a good higher fighter than he was the final time round. He’s in bother.”
Barboza (25-0, 10 KOs), from South El Monte, California, is the WBO No. 3 contender, a 29-year-old who has steadily risen the ranks since turning professional greater than eight years in the past. After a 3-0 2019 marketing campaign that noticed him knock out former world champion Mike Alvarado, he notched a pair of great wins in 2020 with choices over Tony Luis and Alex Saucedo. Barboza now readies for Moran (26-4-1, 19 KOs), a local of Mexico Metropolis who’s 2-0-1 since a 2019 defeat to Devin Haney.
Barboza stated, “I’ve been within the fitness center because the Saucedo struggle, and I’m wanting ahead to this one. He’s a tricky, skilled fighter, and we’re trying to placed on a very good present. I don’t pay an excessive amount of consideration to the rankings. I at all times practice prefer it’s a world title struggle, and I anticipate Moran to present an important effort.”
Jason Moloney (21-2, 18 KOs) is a two-time bantamweight world title challenger who tried to take down pound-for-pound nice Naoya “Monster” Inoue final October. Inoue prevailed by seventh-round knockout, however Moloney returns to motion intent on etching his title among the many division’s high contenders. Chicago native Greer (22-2-2, 12 KOs), who climbed the world rankings following a string of dramatic knockouts, is 0-1-1 in his final two bouts and desperate to recapture the shape that noticed him knock out seven straight foes from 2017-2019.
Jason Moloney stated, “I’m excited to lastly be again after what will probably be practically 10 months out of the ring. After the frustration with Inoue, I went straight again into the fitness center, and I’ve been working extraordinarily onerous. I realized rather a lot from that struggle, and it has pushed me and motivated me to enhance and attain one other degree. This can be a must-win struggle for each myself and Greer, however that is my highway again to a world title, and nobody will cease me from attaining my dream of changing into champion of the world.”
Greer stated, “I’m dialed in and having an important camp in Las Vegas. My coach, Kay Koroma, has added rather a lot to my sport. No stone will probably be left unturned. Jason Moloney is one other high contender, and at this degree, you want different good fighters to deliver the very best out of you. I’m prepared to combine it up with him on August 14. I’m grateful to Prime Rank, James Prince and Antonio Leonard for this chance.”
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