Australian boxer Jason Moloney faced a significant setback in his recent bout against Japanese star Tenshin Nasukawa, which dashed his hopes for a title shot. Moloney entered the ring aiming to rebound from a defeat to Yoshiki Takei in May of the previous year, a loss that saw him surrender his world bantamweight title.
At 34 years old, Moloney had high hopes of overcoming Nasukawa and positioning himself for a rematch against Takei later in the year. However, he lost the contest by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 97-93 and 98-92 over the full 10 rounds. Nasukawa’s victory further improved his undefeated record to six wins.
Despite a strong start and some effective adjustments during the match, Moloney was ultimately outperformed by Nasukawa’s diverse skill set. American boxer Mikaele Mayer, who was analysing the fight for ESPN, noted that Nasukawa showcased a remarkable ability to adapt, leading to his victory.
After the match, Nasukawa and Takei engaged in a post-fight encounter, with Nasukawa expressing a clear ambition to challenge for the championship title. Prior to the bout, Mayer had raised doubts about Nasukawa’s boxing experience, given his extensive kickboxing background, where he boasted an impressive 42-0 record. Mayer had initially found the proposition of fighting Nasukawa puzzling, questioning why he would be matched with someone perceived to have less boxing experience.
However, Mayer acknowledged that Nasukawa, despite having only five boxing fights under his belt, displayed a level of preparedness that surpassed expectations. Unfortunately for Moloney, Mayer’s predictions were accurate, and the fight did not go in his favour. Following the match, Moloney shared a heartfelt moment with his partner, reflecting the emotional toll of the defeat.
Overall, the bout highlighted Nasukawa’s promise as a rising star in boxing, while it left Moloney contemplating his future in the sport after another challenging loss.