Philippines, 28 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Battle lines drawn


PhilBoxing.com





STOCKTON. No quarter will be given nor taken when General Santos City’s Vincent Astrolabio engages Australia’s Jason Moloney in a scheduled 12-round bout for the vacant WBO bantamweight title at the 12,000-seat Stockton Arena in this Northern California port city, 80 miles east of San Francisco, Sunday morning, Manila time. Both fighters predict an abbreviated ending with Astrolabio vowing to finish off Moloney in six or seven and the Australian giving the Filipino up to eight rounds.

“Ito ang pangarap ko, maging world champion,” said Astrolabio who brought a stuffed baby kangaroo toy during a Top Rank press conference at the Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca, a 25-minute drive to Stockton, the other day. “Gagawin ko ang lahat para sa bayan, pamilya at mga sumusuporta sa akin.” Moloney’s twin brother Andrew takes on Junto Nakatani for the vacant WBO superflyweight throne in Las Vegas next week and his dream is for both to return home as world champions.

Astrolabio’s coach Nonoy Neri said he’s developed a secret weapon that’s guaranteed to take the starch out of Moloney. He hinted that a three-punch combination will do the trick with the left uppercut to the side of the body delivering the coup de grace. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said timing is essential and he’s confident Astrolabio’s power will obliterate Moloney like it did Russia’s Nikolai Potapov who was floored thrice before referee Robert Hoyle halted the carnage in the sixth round in Las Vegas last December.

“Triple G (Gennady Golovkin) and Eumir (Marcial) are the only fighters I’ve seen to wobble their opponents with unorthodox shots to the side of the head other than Vincent,” said Gibbons. “It’s now or never. His win over (Guillermo) Rigondeaux turned the corner then came Potapov. Two wins and Vincent is in a world title fight. Moloney brought in a Filipino sparmate (Arthur Villanueva) but that only raises false hopes.”

Neri said doing mitts with Astrolabio sent electric shock waves up his shoulders and numbed his hands. “Nakabasag siya ng panga sa laban at sa sparring,” he said. “Mga ka-sparring niya sa Las Vegas sina Jade Bornea, Jonas Sultan, Saul Sanchez at Franklin Gonzalez. Magkasama kami ni Vincent noong amateur pa siya ng 17 years old. Oras na niya ngayon.” Moloney trained in Las Vegas for a month and is here with wife Georgia. His coach Angelo Hyder said accuracy and volume punching will do it for Moloney. “I’m a true professional,” said Moloney. “I train all year long. I’m ready to win.”


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • 11-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • “Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WIG-WHAM! MILLER PLANS ‘OLD SCHOOL’ BEATING OF PERO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • ProBoxTV Bringing a Storm of Flying Leather to Thunder Studios This Saturday, March 28, as Bryan Acosta Collides with Ronny Rios in Crossroads Bantamweight Slugfest
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Training Camp Quotes
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ellaine Summer Abanco wins silver medal on tiebreak
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Catubig, McDowell win in DC Athletic 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Team Juna wins first competition in IRONMAN 70.3 Davao
    By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • 14-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.