Andrew Moloney will be facing Joshua Franco for the third time Saturday in the main event at a Top Rank ESPN card at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa (ESPN, ESPN+ 10 p.m. ET
Franco (17-1-2 and 8 KOs), 25 years old from San Antonio, Texas won the WBA "regular” junior bantamweight title by winning a unanimous decision over Moloney (21-1 and 14 KOs), 30 years old in Australia. Franco sustained a severe cut to his right eye in a rematch last October. The fight was declared a no contest because the referee said it was an accident head-butt and that the fight had not been long enough to warrant an official decision.
On the card is also Muhammad Ali's grandson Nico Ali Walsh (of Chicago) making his professional boxing debut against Jordan Weeks (2 KOs), 29-year-old from Lexington, South Carolina. Ali Walsh is 21 years old, but there's one question: can he fight?
Another boxing card will be held at Dignity Health Sports Park Carson, California on Saturday (Showtime, 10:10) ET: WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero will face Guillermo Rigondeaux, WBA "regular” title holder.
Casimero (32, 21 KOs), 32 from the Philippines has won six fights by stoppage. His last bout was September 2020. He lost to Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2017. Rigondeaux (21-1 and 13 KOs), 40 years old, from Cuba, is a former world junior featherweight champion who lost to Vasiliy Lombenko in 2017. He has since won three consecutive fights including a split victory over Liborio Solis in February 2020, to secure the WBA belt.
In the co-main, Gary Antonio Russell (18-1, 12 KOs), 28 years old from Capitol Heights, Maryland faces Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-2 and 12 KOs), 29-year-old from Manati, Puerto Rico in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBA interim title.
Vergil Ortiz Jr., the welterweight sensation, takes on Egijus Kavaliauskas, the former title challenger, at The Ford Center At The Star in Frisco Texas. ET
Ortiz (17-1, 17 KOs), a 23-year-old from Dallas has never fought beyond the seventh round in his professional career. Ortiz defeated Maurice Hooker, a former world title holder, in the seventh round. It was a dominating performance.
Kavaliauskas (18 KOs, 22 KOs), 33 from Lithuania lost via ninth round TKO to Terence Crawford in December 2019. He was challenging for the WBO welterweight title. However, he recovered with a September 2020 eighth-round TKO to Mikael Zewski.
You can follow the live results of all three boxes throughout the night by following along.
Fight in progress in Tulsa (Oklahoma): Arnold Barboza vs. Antonio Moran. 10 rounds, junior Welterweights
Fight in progress in Frisco, Texas: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Egidijus Kavaliauskas, 12 rounds, welterweights
Fight in progress in Carson (California): Gary Antonio Russell vs. Emmanuel Rodriguez (12 rounds, bantamweights).
Vergil Ortiz Jr. wraps his hands in preparation for the fight against Egijus Kavaliauskas. Ed Keenan/Golden Boy Promotions
Egidijus Kaliauskas (right) puts on his gloves for the fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr. Ed Keenan/Golden Boy Promotions
These are the results
In Carson: Rau'shee Warren def. Damien Vazquez by second-round TKO
Coming up: Fight recap
In Frisco: Roger Gutierrez def. Rene Alvarado unanimously retains his WBA "regular” junior lightweight title
Coming up: Fight recap
Tulsa: Jason Moloney wins decision victory over Greer
Jason Moloney defeated Joshua Greer Jr. in an entertaining bantamweight fight. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Jason Moloney won a unanimous 10-round decision over Joshua Greer Jr. in a crossroads fight
It was scored by two judges 98-92 and 96-94. Moloney is still alive in the 118-pound division. He was just coming off a seventh round KO against NaoyaInoue in an Oct title fight.
Greer's future looks less certain. Since his October 2019 victory over Antonio Nieves, Greer hasn't won. In June, Mike Plania defeated the Chicago 27-year old. He then settled for a draw against Edwin Rodriguez in his final outing.
Greer (22-3-2 KOs, 14 KOs), started strong but Moloney (22-2 KOs, 18 KOs), took control of Round 3. Andrew, the twin brother of the Australian, will fight Joshua Franco in main event. Moloney is ESPN's number one boxer. 7 boxer at 118 pounds.
In Tulsa: Morrison outlast Haynesworth for unanimous decision
Trey Lippe Morrison (heavyweight) won the unanimous decision over Don Haynesworth, his first victory in his career. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Trey Lippe Morrison was the son of Tommy Morrison's former heavyweight title challenger and was extended the distance in a shutout victory over Don Haynesworth.
Tulsa's hometown favorite won 60-54 on all three of his cards in his first fight since April. It was a sloppy fight with more brute than skill.
Morrison (18-0; 17 KOs), and Haynesworth both won big punches, but seldom met their mark. Both heavyweights appeared to be tired, with Haynesworth (38), completely exhausted by the end. Hayneworth, at 288.6 lbs, was immobile, with 14 KOs (16-7-1), but Morrison, 31, couldn't find him on most occasions with his power shots.
Haynesworth, who is a New Rochelle native, has lost four straight.
Frisco: Alvarado wins first round TKO of Vazquez
Felix Alvarado (Junior flyweight champion), stopped Israel Vazquez in round one. Omar Vega/Getty Images
Felix Alvarado was the IBF junior-flyweight champion and he quickly defeated his late-replacement opponent during a non-title bout.
Punch Stats Punches Alvarado Vazquez Total Landed 40 27 Total Thrown 90 73 Percent 44% 337% Jabs landed one 1 Jabs thrown sixteen 11 Percent 6 9% Power landed 39 26 Power toss 74 62 Percent 53% 42% -- Courtesy CompuBox
Vazquez was brought in this week and came out aggressively. He landed some shots but Alvarado attacked him in the second round. Vazquez was then knocked down with a right-hand clubbing. Alvarado got back up, but the referee said he could not continue. The stoppage was called at 2:50.
Alvarado's (37-2), 32nd career knockout and 16th in Round 1 was it. The victory was also Alvarado's 19th consecutive win. Lopez, a 32-year old Nicaraguan, had been scheduled for Erick Lopez to defend his belt. Lopez had to pull out due to visa issues. Vazquez (10-5-2), from Puerto Rico, has lost five out of six of his previous bouts.
After eight rounds of a junior-welterweight fight, George Rincon defeated Nikolai Buzolin unanimously in Frisco. Scores of 80-72, 80-72 & 80-72 were used.
In Tulsa: Balderas stops Cervantes in impressive performance
Karlos Balderas sent Fidel Cervantes down to the floor in Round 1. This was on his way to winning a TKO win in Round 2. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Karlos Balderas was once a highly-regarded prospect in boxing and made the most out of his new start.
Fidel Cervantes was defeated by the 24-year-old in Round 2. After landing a vicious left hook, he landed a series of punches that dropped Cervantes (9-2, 4 KOs), and then he was stunned again late in round 2.
Kansas' 30-year-old man never recovered his senses. He took a beating in Round 2, before the referee stopped it at 2:03.
Balderas (10-1 and 9 KOs) lost against Juan Rene Tellez in December 2019. After that, he parted ways from PBC. The Southern California native recovered from the lengthy layoff. Buddy McGirt, a renowned trainer, helped him to sign with Top Rank.
Balderas declared after the fight, "I'm back" and "It's better than ever." "I still have a lot to learn, even with my victory. I'm heading straight to the gym to prepare for the next one. ... "I'm just getting started."
Balderas now hopes to realize his immense potential in the second act. He was able to fight his way into the lightweight quarterfinals of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016.
In Tulsa Cortes demolishes Servania first-round KO
Andres Cortes celebrates his first round KO of Genesis Serviania during their junior lightweight bout. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Andres Cortes won the most important win of his young career with a stunning first round KO of Genesis Servania.
Cortes landed a righthand followed by a lefthook that sent Servania (from the Philippines) crashing against the ropes. Servania, a former title contender, tried to get up, but was unable to continue.
Cortes (15-0-8 KOs), who lives in Las Vegas will likely take the fight to Cortes again. Servania (36-3, 16 KOs), lost a fight to Oscar Valdez at 126 pounds in 2017.
Tulsa: Cortez is defeated by Bell in a one-sided victory
Albert Bell, junior lightweight, won each round against Julio Cortez, for an easy win. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Albert Bell won a unanimous shutout over Julio Cortez and was awarded 80-72 by all three judges.
Bell (19-0 KOs, 5 KOs), who is a native of Toledo Ohio, was just coming off an 8-round win over Manuel Rey Rojas. Cortez was easily defeated by the 130-pounder. He used his considerable height and reach advantage to keep Cortez on the outside.
Bell may not have a lot of pop, but at 6'1" he is very tall for the 130-pound division and has the boxing skills to match. He seems to be closer to the top-10 in a stacked weight division. He just needs a step-up opponent who can prove that he is at this level.
In Tulsa: Nova outpoints Pumicpic for unanimous decision win
Junior lightweight Abraham Nova, right, outpointed Richard Pumicpic for a unanimous decision victory. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Abraham Nova, who suffered an Achilles tear, returned to fight with a strong performance. He won a unanimous decision over Richard Pumicpic at the ESPN+ opening bout.
Nova (20-0, 14KOs), was shocked late in the first round, but settled down to fight to win by scores 79-73-78-74, 79-73 and 79-73. This power-punching 130-pounder competed for the first time since his June 2020 victory over Avery Sparrow.
Pumicpic (22-12-2 (7 KOs), is a native Filipino fighter who has lost four of five of his previous fights.
There are still more to come.
Tulsa (ESPN/ESPN+).
Title fight: Joshua Franco against Andrew Moloney (12 rounds) for Franco's WBA "regular” junior bantamweight title
Nico Ali Walsh vs. Jordan Weeks, 4 rounds, middleweights
Carson, California (Showtime)
