Australian boxer Andrew Moloney has reclaimed a world title, defeating Mexico's Willibaldo Garcia by majority decision to become the IBF super flyweight champion. The fight took place at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan, on Saturday.
Moloney won with scores of 115-113, 114-114, and 115-113, completing a remarkable comeback just over two years after he retired following a controversial loss to Pedro Guevara in Perth.
In the early rounds, Garcia's aggressive strategy put Moloney on the back foot, but the Australian used a patient approach and impressed with his technique. After the judges' verdict, an emotional Moloney said he was the happiest man in the world and that the sacrifices were worth it.
Moloney revealed that he was offered almost $350,000 to step aside from the title fight, allowing unified champion Jesse Rodriguez to pursue another unification bout, but he declined.
