Andrew Moloney is back in retirement talks, looking for a rematch with Pedro Guevara
Junior bantamweight champion Andrew Moloney has announced that he wants to continue his boxing career following his defeat to Mexican veteran Pedro Guevara at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia last Sunday, local time.
The undercard of the vacant IBF lightweight title fight between Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr, the 33-year-old Australian faltered in the first half of the fight before Guevara, 34, began to grind.
Moloney closed the show with a big 12th round but it proved to be too little, too late on the scorecards. The judge Samantha Bulner scored Moloney 116-113, while judges Humberto Olivares and Zanashir Taznaa both scored the fight 115-113 for Guevara.
After that, Moloney said he hung up the gloves.
“I felt completely in control. “I did what I had to do out there tonight to get through the rounds and win,” said a disappointed Moloney (26-4, 16 knockouts) in the ring.
“I don’t want to make excuses but I entered this fight with a torn bicep. I couldn’t throw a left hook unless I needed to – but I didn’t feel like I had to throw it because I was in control.
“I would like to thank Top Rank, thank you for my team and everything you have done for me.
“But I’m done with this game. It’s the last time you’ll see me.”
The ring dropped Moloney to sixth in the 115-pound rankings following the loss and elevated Guevara (42-4-1, 22 KOs) to fifth.
After four days of thinking, Moloney had a change of heart.
In a statement posted on social media, he said: “Sunday was an emotional day and I needed time to reflect before saying anything else.”
“I watched the fight and I believe now, as I did last night, that I 100% deserved to have my hand raised.
“Those who follow my work and know me know that I’m not a bad game or a big loser.
“I let my emotions get the better of me and I certainly could have handled the situation better.
“However, that is easier said than done when I have given my all to this sport for over 20 years and there is still more to come.”
Moloney stressed that their is little money for boxing in the light weight classes and a loss like this can have a big impact on future earnings.
“Most people don’t understand that the outcome of a fight like this is life-changing,” said Moloney, who was fighting for the vacant WBC interim belt.
“The financial difference is hundreds of thousands of dollars as a champion, compared to thousands of dollars without the belt.”
In a three-fight series with Joshua Franco in 2020-2021, Moloney went 0-2 without a single contest in the closest fights for the second WBA ‘regular’ title.
The result of the no-fight in their rematch still lingers in his heart after a headbutt by referee Russell Mora caused swelling in Franco’s eye that caused the fight to be stopped after two rounds.
Video footage shows a legitimate punch from Moloney doing the damage.
“Having been stripped of a world title before – I’m still waiting to see that finish – my frustration is gone,” Moloney said of his passion that was burning on the night.
“Congratulations to Pedro Guevara and his team. He is a true Mexican hero and I respect him and what he has achieved during his career.
“A match with Guevara is the only way I can find peace in this situation. In my mind, Guevara is holding on to my belt.
“In the ring, he said he would give me a rematch. My team also spoke to WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman after the fight and he said he would also respect the rematch.”
If the goals are not met in the second round, it could happen six months down the track.
“I entered the ring with a torn biceps bone and I will have to have surgery first to repair the injury,” said Moloney. “I will then start to recover so that I can enter the rematch with strong arms.
“Be sure that I will win and become a two-time world champion.”
