Naoya Inoue vs Jason Moloney Preview Oct. 31st
Unbeaten Naoya Inoue of Japan will be defending his IBF and WBA Bantamweight Titles against Jason Moloney of Australia this Saturday, Oct. 31st. The 12-round bout from the bubble at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas can be seen live on ESPN+ in America while fans in Canada can catch the action on TSN. Inoue last fought in November when he beat Nonito Donaire by unanimous decision in Japan to win the World Boxing Super Series bantamweight and capture Donaire’s WBA Belt. Moloney last fought in June when he stopped Leonardo Baez after seven rounds.
Inoue vs Moloney Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Jason Moloney +700
- Naoya Inoue -1100
My Pick
The 27-year-old Inoue advanced to the World Boxing Series final and won the IBF belt when he stopped Emmanuel Rodriguez in the second round in May, 2019. He’s a former WBO Jr. Bantamweight and WBC Junior Flyweight titleholder who has all the tools to be one of the world’s elite boxers. Inoue defended his junior bantamweight crown seven times before moving up in weight and quickly taking care of business against Jamie McDonnell in the first round to win his bantamweight crown in May, 2018.
The Japanese star became a world champion in his sixth pro fight when he stopped Adrian Hernandez in the sixth round for his junior flyweight belt in May, 2014. He defended it once then moved up to super flyweight and took the title from Omar Narvaez by second-round KO in December, 2014. Inoue has been a sensation in his homeland since turning pro in 2012. He’s a hard hitter with good boxing skills and stands at 19-0 with 16 Kos. He’s boxed 107 rounds as a pro and has owns an impressive 84.2 per cent knockout ratio.
Inoue stands 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 67.5-inch reach. He enjoyed a fine amateur career and is 14-0 with 12 Kos in world title fights and has also beaten the likes of Juan Carlos Payano, Ryoichi Taguchi, Kohei Kono, Antonio Nieves, David Carmona and Ricardo Rodriguez. He’s also 8-0 with 6 Kos against current or former world champions in Donaire, Rodriguez, Taguchi, Hernandez, Narvaez, Kono, McDonnell and Payano.
The 29-year-old Moloney enters the ring with a mark of 21-1 with 18 Kos. His lone defeat came at the hands of IBF World Champion Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico in October, 2018 when he dropped a split decision. Moloney turned pro in 2014 after an amateur career and has boxed 108 rounds. Since turning pro he’s won the WBA Oceania Bantamweight Title. Moloney hails from Mitcham, Victoria, down under and this will be his third bout in America and outside of his homeland.
He’s shown solid power up to now with a current knockout ratio of 81.8 per cent and has won three four straight contests by stoppage. However, his only notable opponent so far really has been Rodriguez and he fell just short. Moloney stands 5-feet-5-inches with a 65-inch reach so gives up 2.5 inches in reach to the champion. Moloney’s also won a few regional belts along the way including the British Commonwealth, and WBA Oceania Super Bantamweight Title.
Prediction…
Currently, Inoue is regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world by many. He’s got power, likes to go to the body and can also take a shot. He’s lived up to his nickname of Monster and his last four KO victims lasted less than seven rounds combined. Moloney also has power, skills and speed but just hasn’t fought as many top opponents as Inoue as of yet. This is a great matchup for Halloween but I don’t think it’s going to be a quick monster mash. I’m expecting Moloney to put up a great fight but eventually fall short to Inoue.
Inoue’s power, body shots and chin should be the difference.
Play: Inoue -1100 @ BetOnline.ag
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Jason Moloney betting • Naoya Inoue betting