Long-time junior bantamweight contender Andrew Moloney will face Judy Flores in a scheduled 10-round contest at the Pullman Hotel, Albert Park, Victoria, Australia on Dec. 9.

It marks the first time the 32-year-old Australian has fought since coming up short in a WBO 115-pound title fight against Junto Nakatani earlier this year.

Moloney has licked his wounds and is ready to get back in the win column.

“I can’t wait to return to the ring on December 9,” Moloney (25-3, 16 knockouts) told The Ring. “I know a lot of people are writing me off after my last fight, so I’m determined to put on the best performance of my career and show everyone that I will be a world champion again!

“Flores is a tough opponent. I wanted someone that was going to test me. I will show that I’m world class and I’m going to finish the year with a big win in front of my home crowd.”

Moloney, The Ring’s No. 8-rated junior bantamweight, was a seasoned amateur and won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth games. Has scored solid wins over Luis Concepcion (TKO 10), Miguel Gonzalez (TKO 8) and Elton Dharry (RTD 8). The Australian came up short in a three fight series with then-WBA titlist Joshua Franco (UD 12/ ND 2/ UD 12). [Editor’s Note: The Ring doesn’t recognize the WBA regular title. It recognizes the most senior of the WBA titles, in this case, then held by Juan Francisco Estrada.]Four wins saw him well positioned to face Nakatani for the vacant WBO title but was knocked out in 11-rounds.

Flores (13-1, 7 KOs) turned professional in 2017. After 10 victories, all in the Philippines, Flores headed to America where he lost his unbeaten record to Antonio Nieves (UD 8) in May 2022. He has since returned with three wins, most notably outboxing faded former three-time junior flyweight title challenger Jonathan Taconing (UD 10).

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