Jason Moloney, with a cackle, says there will only ever be one Manny Pacquiao.
“And that guy,” he says, “isn’t fighting me this weekend”.
Which is true.
But as for the bloke who is? And for no less than the vacant WBO world bantamweight title?
Well, Vincent Astrolabio isn’t Pac Man.
But still, he does knock men cold for the Filipino legend.
Or certainly he did last December.
Back when in a world title eliminator, this aggressive Filipino puncher promised to ice Russia’s Nikolai Potapov as a 44th birthday present to the megastar who now promotes him.
And guess what?
Astrolabio dropped Potapov in the first, in the third and then finally in the sixth — for good.
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All up, a brutal victory which secured not only Pacquiao’s present as promised, but a championship showdown against the fighter now gunning to become Australia’s next world champion.
Himself a run of four straight wins, and eight of his past nine, Moloney is looking for a case of third time lucky when he faces Astrolabio inside California’s Stockton Arena this Sunday (AEST).
In a professional career now spanning nine years and 27 fights, the Aussie has lost only twice – both times, world title bouts against Japanese megastar Naoya Inoue and Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez.
Now this weekend, he faces Astrolabio.
That Filipino puncher promoted and mentored by one of the greatest to ever do it.
“But there will only ever be one Manny Pacquiao,” Moloney told Fox Sports Australia this week from his US camp.
“And I’m not getting into the ring with him.
“Of course, Astrolabio will have drawn inspiration from Manny. And no doubt he’s also trying to follow in his footsteps.
“But again, there’s only one Pacquiao.
“And he isn’t getting into the ring to fight me this weekend.”
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So as for the bloke who is?
“Aggressive fighter,” the Aussie continued.
“Comes forward, heavy handed … so you don’t have to be Einstein to work out his game plan.
“He’s going to try and hurt me. Try to take me out.
“But I’ve fought plenty of Filipinos, plenty of come forward fighters who are trying to knock me out … and not many have succeeded.”
So a prediction?
“I’ll stop him inside 12,” Moloney insisted.
“Not sure if it will be a body shot or head shot, but I want to make a statement in this fight.
“Because, yes, it’s about becoming world champion.
“But the way the bantamweight division is right now with Inoue having moved up, the division is screaming out for a new king.
“Everyone wants to see who will take over.
“And I do believe, right now, I’m the best bantamweight in the world.
“So if I do fight to the best of my ability, I’ll stop him within eight rounds.”
At which point the conversation will then turn to heavyweight American promoter Bob Arum, whose Top Rank company promotes both Jason Moloney and twin brother Andrew — the latter of whom, coincidentally, fights for the vacant WBO super flyweight title just a week later in Las Vegas.
A card also boasting plenty of eyeballs given it will be headlined by a lightweight unification showdown between Devin Haney and Vasyl Lomachenko.
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Should Jason Moloney win this weekend, there have already been whispers of a potential $2 million Australian showdown with another Filipino favourite, Nonito Donaire.
Only recently, the WBC approved Donaire to fight Alejandro Santiago for their vacant bantamweight title.
Should the ‘Filipino Flash’ win, a potential Moloney fight Down Under would be discussed.
Should Andrew Moloney also prove successful in his own world title attempt, Top Rank and Australian promoters No Limit would then begin negotiations to partner up for what would be an historic double header involving the twins.
“So this is a must win for me,” Moloney continued.
“We’ve already spoken with Bob who said if we take care of business, if we both win our titles, then there’s the very real prospect of a doubleheader in Australia.
“And that’s what I want.
“I want to bring this title to Australia, put on some big events and get the whole country behind us.”
But first, Astrolabio.
“And Pacquiao, he only takes the best of the best (out of his country),” said Moloney’s manager, Tony Tolj.
“There have actually been a lot of stories over there in the Philippines about Astrolabio using this world title fight to get revenge for all the Filipinos that Jason has beaten.
“Over his career, he’s beaten more than six of them.
“But Jason has had the perfect camp.
“He’s ready to go.”
So as for how he gets it done against the challenger promoter by Pac Man?
“As a fighter, Astrolabio is quite powerful,” Moloney conceded.
“Has a good kit of punches and will be extremely hungry.
“But I’m a much better fighter.
“I’m faster, stronger, smarter – I’m the more skilful fighter, too.
“So I just have to be focused.
“Fight the right fight and not get caught, don’t do anything too reckless or wear any big shots.
“If I fight my best and remain focused, I’ll prove to be the champion of the world.”
