By Jake Donovan
Jason Moloney is as eager to land a second career title shot as has been getting rid of the competition in his way.
The top-rated bantamweight contender made quick work of Dixon Flores, stopping the visiting Nicaraguan in the second round of their co-feature attraction Friday evening at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
Moloney scored knockdowns in each of the two rounds, the latter ending the fight on the spot at 1:26 of round two.
The difference in power was evident from the opening bell. Moloney established his dominance with heavy right hands, setting up the power shot through a purposeful jab which kept Flores on the defensive.
One right hand got through in a big way, connecting clean on the chin and sending Flores crashing to the canvas midway through round one. The overwhelmed challenger spent the rest of the round in retreat, making it to the bell but only prolonging the inevitable.
Round two picked up from the exact ending point of its predecessor. Flores maintained a high but loose guard, more interested in avoiding the incoming than landing anything of substance in return. Moloney used in an out movement to keep his foe off balance and out of rhythm, expertly setting up the fight ending sequence.
A right hand by Moloney connected to the temple of Flores, who managed to absorb while remaining upright. It also left him vulnerable to a clean left hook to the body, which forced Flores (16-7-3, 5KOs) to crumple to the canvas, rolling over in agony.
The fight was immediately waved off without a count.
"I wanted to make a big statement, especially in front of a big crowd on this big event," Moloney (20-1, 17KOs) said after the win, his third straight. "I wanted to make a big statmenet that I'm ready to fight for the world title."
The 28-year old contender remains the challenger in waiting for a crack at the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title. His lone career loss came in his first crack at a major title, falling just short to then-unbeaten bantamweight titlist Emmanuel Rodriguez last October in Orlando, Florida.
Three straight wins have followed, all at home and inside the distance. The hope was to position himself for another title shot this year, but will instead have to wait out a Dec. 21 clash between lineal 122-pound champion Guillermo Rigondeaux—who moves down in weight—versus former 115-pound titlist Liborio Solis, with designs of landing the winner.
In the meantime, Moloney continues to enjoy quality family time both in and out of the ring. His last two wins have come on the same show as his twin brother, Andrew who remains hot on the hunt for a full version of the junior bantamweight title after an 8th round knockout of Elton Dharry also on Friday's show.
"It meant a lot for both of us to be on this card, and will mean a lot for both of us to be on the same card in 2020 bringing the world titles back home to Australia," notes the bantamweight Moloney.
The bout streamed live on ESPN+ in the United States and aired live on Fox Sports Australia.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
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