Moloney Brothers, Miguel Berchelt Set For Top Rank Action In June

By Fight Sports Jun 17, 2020

Fight cards for Top Rank running through the last full week of June have been revealed. The promotion, which made its return to Las Vegas earlier this month thanks to the Nevada Athletic Commission, will look to continue its momentum on June 23, 25, and 27.

The shows on June 23 and 25 (Tuesday and Thursday) will take place inside the MGM Grand Conference Center and will both be headlined by Andrew and Jason Moloney. WBC Super-Featherweight Champion Miguel Berchelt will have his chance to shine on Saturday, June 27 from inside the TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City. All three events will air on ESPN and ESPN+.

Both Moloney brothers were the first stars to enter Top Rank’s gym as Nevada was opening up the state while following proper COVID-19 safety guidelines. Only Andrew Moloney will be defending a title, the first Top Rank star to do so.

“It’s very exciting times as Australia’s only world champion, Andrew Moloney, will defend his title against a tough warrior in Joshua Franco,” said Tony Tolj, who manages the Moloney brothers. “Jason has trained hard and is ready for world championship opportunities. Both are in tough fights that the fans are going to love. We want to fight the best. It’s a great honor to headline back-to-back shows, especially at MGM Grand.”

Including the main and co-main events of the evening, here are the full cards for the next few weeks of June:

June 23

Main Event – Andrew Moloney (c) v. Joshua Franco – WBA Super-Flyweight Title

This will be Andrew’s (21-0) first time fighting in the United States. “The Monster” made his professional debut in 2014 and has held the WBA Oceania Bantamweight and Super-Flyweight Titles. Moloney last fought in November 2019, beating Elton Dharry for the then-interim WBA Super-Flyweight Title. He was then promoted to undisputed champion.

“It’s a dream come true for me to be headlining at the MGM Grand for my first world title defense,” Moloney said. “Thank you to Top Rank and my team for giving me this amazing opportunity. Franco is a great fighter, but I believe I am faster, more powerful, and too hungry to let anyone take this belt away from me.”

The 24-year-old Franco (16-1-2) is coming off of a TKO-win against Jose Alejandro Burgos back in January. He is 2-0-2 in his last fought fights and has eight wins via knockout.

“I have been waiting all my life to fight for a world title,” Franco stated. “I know that all my hard work will pay off when I step into the ring and become a world champion. These are tough times for the world, so I’m grateful to have this opportunity when the world has come to a halt. I will do my best to entertain the fans during this time and make my training team, promoter and everyone in San Antonio proud. This June 23, class will be in session, and everyone’s invited to watch on ESPN.”

Co-Feature – Christopher Diaz v. Jason Sanchez

A former title contender, Diaz (25-2) lost to Shakur Stevenson for the WBO-NABO Featherweight Title back in April 2019. He rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Adeilson Dos Santos in January. In four fights “Pitufo” is 2-2. Sanchez (15-1) is also a former title contender, losing to Oscar Valdez for the WBO Featherweight Title in June 2019. He rebounded from his first loss with a knockout-win against Dos Santos in October.

“I know that winning this next fight opens the door to a world title shot, and I have worked hard to make it happen and finally achieve my dream of becoming a world champion,” Diaz said. “Jason Sanchez is a world-level opponent. His only defeat is against Oscar Valdez — and he is a seasoned Mexican warrior — but I am coming prepared for everything Sanchez will bring to the ring.”

Joseph Adorno (14-0-1) v. Alexis del Bosque (17-5)
Miguel Contreras (10-0) v. Rolando Vargas (5-0)
Helaman Olguin (7-3) v. Adam Stewart (8-0-1)

June 25

Main Event – Jason Moloney v. Leonardo Baez

The other Moloney brother is the current WBA Oceania Bantamweight Champion. He won the title in 2017 and has defended it five times. Following the lone loss of his career against Emmanuel Rodríguez in the quarter-finals of the World Boxing Super Series bantamweight tournament, Moloney has won three in a row.

“My opponent, Leonardo Baez, is a good fighter who comes forward and puts on a lot of pressure,” Moloney said. “I have been working extremely hard to make sure this is the most spectacular performance of my career and to prove that I am ready for another shot at a world title.”

Baez (18-2) is on a six-fight win streak dating back to fall 2018. This will be his third time fighting in the United States, and his last bout was a unanimous decision win over Moises Flores.

Co-Feature – Abraham Nova v. Avery Sparrow

“El Super” Nova (18-0) made his professional debut in 2016. His last fight was a TKO-win against Pedro Navarrete in January, his fourth win in a row via knockout. Sparrow (10-1) is coming off of a majority decision win over Henry Lundy back in March 2019.

Orlando González (14-0) v. Luis Porozo (15-2)

June 27

Miguel Berchelt v. Eleazar Valenzuela

Berchelt (37-1) was rumored to appear on a Zanfer-produced show a few weeks ago. The WBC Super-Featherweight Champion has held onto the title since March 2016 and has defended it eight times. His last fight was a knockout-win against Jason Sosa in November. The 25-year-old Valenzuela (21-13-4) is coming off of a loss against Miguel Angel Parra back in December. In his last five fights “Tronco” is 2-2 with one no-contest.

Omar “Pollo” Aguilar (17-0) v. Dante Jardon (32-6)
Mauricio Lara (18-2) v. Humberto Galindo (12-0-1)
Ruben Aguilar (9-0) v. Emanuel Herrera (7-10)