Boxing
Keys to Victory: Where will Willibaldo Garcia and Andrew Moloney be won and lost?
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Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez holds three of the four super flyweight world titles and clashes with WBA bantamweight world champion Antonio Vargas next weekend, live on DAZN.
However, this Saturday, IBF super flyweight titleholder Willibaldo Garcia will look to defend his own championship against Andrew Moloney at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan.
Garcia (23-6-2 with 1 no contest, 13 KOs) is coming off a split-decision win over Rene Calixto in their May 2025 rematch after the two fought to a draw the December prior.
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Garcia won the IBF title via that victory. Garcia was supposed to defend the title against Kenshiro Teraji this past winter, but fell ill and the fight was cancelled.
Meanwhile, Moloney (27-4 with 1 no contest, 17 KOs), a former super flyweight world champion, didn’t see any ring action last year, but stopped Jakrawut Majungoen inside of three rounds back in December 2024.
Will Garcia defend his title for the first time to keep the chance of him facing ‘Bam’ Rodriguez for the undisputed crown alive? Or will the Australian pull off the upset? DAZN News probes into the Keys to Victory between the champ and challenger.
Willibaldo Garcia’s Keys to Victory
Pressure, pound the body
Go back and watch the pair of fights Willibaldo Garica had against Rene Calixto. In both bouts, you’ll note how Garcia had some of his best moments forcing phone booth action and pounding the body.
Garcia can use this pressuring off the front foot to great success against Andrew Moloney, too. Pummeling the Australian fighter’s body might make him lower his arms just enough for the champion to fire away to the face and head with something more damaging.
Load up on with right hand, be more measured with it
Garcia does have a penchant for getting a bit too wide and wild with his right hand, but the shot remains his best weapon.
The key against Moloney is for Garcia to load up on the right hand, but be more measured and selective with its uncorking. That’s how he can deliver the shot, especially his overhand right, toward more emphatic results.
Keep shots compact
In conjunction with being more measured with his right hand, Garcia must keep his punches compact. In far too many sequences, the IBF super flyweight world champion overextends with his attempts — both while lunging to the body and rifling shots upstairs. He must keep his shots compact or could fall vulnerable to a sharply timed counter from Moloney.
Andrew Moloney’s Keys to Victory
Keep a disciplined guard
When Andrew Moloney’s guard goes from disciplined to lax, he often leaves his chin hanging in the air. That can serve as an open invitation for Willibaldo Garcia to tee off behind his forward-fighting pressure.
Therefore, Moloney must make sure he’s keeping a tight, disciplined guard over the course of this fight.
Split Garcia’s guard with consistency
Garcia can be hit with frequency, though he possesses a solid chin. Moloney’s best bet to carve this open lane is by splitting the champ’s guard with a one-two combination. The Australian has the hand speed on the combo to burst in with that right hand after peppering Garcia with the jab.
The more this combination lands with regularity, the more points and rounds Moloney will garner.
Look for the counter left hook
Considering Garcia’s penchant for overextending and going too wide with his right hand, Moloney should look to time the champ with a counter left hook.
It’s there for Moloney’s taking, especially across the jaw. He lands this counter left crisply and we could see a new IBF super flyweight world champion.
Analysis: Who has the edge in Garcia vs. Moloney?
DAZN News’ Mark Lelinwalla
I give Garcia the slight advantage to wilt Moloney under nonstop pressure. The champ’s high-volume incessant fighting flow should make it difficult for the Australian, however if Moloney times Garcia enough and we might see the upset.
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