Aussie Andrew Moloney has been knocked out cold in a stunning defeat to undefeated Japanese fighter Junto Nakatani in Las Vegas.
Boxing: Japan’s Junto Nakatani has brutally knocked out Australia’s Andrew Moloney to claim the vacant WBO World junior bantamweight title.
Just seconds from the bell in the 12th and final round, undefeated Japanese star Junto Nakatani turned Moloney’s lights out with a monster right hand to end their WBO super-flyweight world title fight.
Moloney, a 32-year-old from Melbourne who previously held the WBA super-flyweight title, drops to 25-3 for his career, while Nakatani moves to an impressive 25-0.
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Andrew Moloney is knocked down by Junto Nakatani during their world title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images via AFP)
Andrew Moloney took too many punches. Photo by Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA.
Fight commentators were blown away at the merciless power behind the Nakatani hook that dropped Moloney.
ESPN boxing commentator Mike Coppinger wrote on Twitter Moloney had been “eviscerated”.
Iconic boxing TV caller Joe Tessitore also said on ESPN: “That was devastating. He is laid out in brutal fashion. They need medical attention right away. Unbelievable punch. It was like a human shotgun going off.”
He said it was obvious that Moloney would need to be taken to hospital for observation.
Foxtel’s Ben Damon first reported Moloney had indeed been taken to hospital straight after the fight “after taking way too much punishment”.
He later added that Moloney had “perforated both eardrums” in the crushing loss.
Andrew Moloney is KO’d by Junto Nakatani. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Your an absolute warrior @AndrewMoloney regardless of the result!! Never stopped trying.
Keep your head up brother— George “Ferocious” Kambosos Jr (@georgekambosos) May 21, 2023
Holy wow what a punch. Praying Andrew Moloney is OK
— Dan Canobbio (@DanCanobbio) May 21, 2023
Junto Nakatani just eviscerated Andrew Moloney with a single shot, one of the scariest knockouts I’ve seen at ringside. That’s going to be hard to top for KO of the Year, even though it’s only May. KO 12 to retain his 115-pound title. #HaneyLoma
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) May 21, 2023
Nakatani took control of the fight from the early stages, landing the cleaner punches and knocking the Australian to the canvas with two uppercuts and a right in the second round.
An accidental head clash opened a cut just above the Japanese fighter’s nose in the third round, but it did little to slow him down.
Moloney had his moments during the fight and earned plaudits for his bravery, but in the end the Japanese fighter had far too much class, knocking the Australian down again in the 11th round before the brutal finale.
Moloney’s corner had said they were thinking of throwing in the towel on Moloney’s behalf as the contest headed into the championship rounds as the Aussie continued to suffer an alarming amount of damage.
The most positive news was that Moloney was able to get back to his feet minutes after he had been left in distress while lying on the floor following the knockout punch.
Moloney was reportedly walking and talking at the time he left the arena on his way to hospital.