Australian challenger Andrew Moloney defeated Willibaldo Garcia by majority decision to capture the IBF super-flyweight title on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan. The 35-year-old from Kingscliff secured the world championship after a grueling 12-round contest, overcoming late-round pressure and multiple facial cuts to dethrone the Mexican champion.
Judges Nobuto Ikehara and Koji Tanaka both scored the bout 115-113 for Moloney, while Saemi Okaniwa turned in a 114-114 scorecard.
The victory elevates Andrew Moloney to a professional record of 29-4 with 18 knockouts, building on the 28-4 record he carried into the ring. Willibaldo Garcia Perez, known as “Sullo,” was making the first defense of his IBF World Junior Bantamweight Championship.
Despite a spirited rally in the second half of the fight, the 36-year-old Mexican fell to 23-7-2 as the Australian’s early technical dominance proved decisive in the eyes of the ringside officials.
The fight began with Garcia pressing the action from the opening minute, but Moloney countered masterfully to both the body and head. The Australian controlled the tempo through the early stages, successfully taking five of the first six rounds on all three judges’ cards.
The technical poise shown by Moloney in the first half of the match established a point cushion that his Mexican opponent struggled to erase as the fight progressed into the deep rounds.
Majority decision crowns Andrew Moloney in Tokoname
The physical nature of the 115-pound clash left its mark on both men, particularly the challenger. An accidental head clash caused a significant cut over Moloney’s left eye early in the bout. By the eighth round, the Australian was nursing two separate cuts above his eyes, hampering his vision as Garcia heightened his output.
The champion began to find his rhythm from the seventh round, mounting a comeback that threatened to derail Moloney’s championship aspirations.
Despite the blood and the champion’s relentless pressure, Moloney rallied in the 12th and final round. He swept the final three minutes on all three judges’ cards, a critical finish that prevented the match from slipping into a majority draw. Referee Katsuhiko Nakamura managed a competitive but largely clean tactical battle entitled 3150 FIGHT vol.10, which was broadcast on DAZN and YouTube.
The super-flyweight division remains highly competitive, and while veteran champions like Roberto Duran once analyzed the intellect of his rivals, Moloney relied on his own tactical maturity to navigate the late-round storm. This win marks a major shift in the junior bantamweight rankings, placing the Australian at the center of a talent-rich weight class that frequently sees champions test themselves on foreign soil.
Purse details and promotional impact of the title fight
Kameda Promotions secured the rights to the event after winning a purse bid on March 6, 2026, with an offer of $315,000. This bid surpassed the $275,100 offer from Pacquiao Promotions. As the defending champion, Garcia’s 85% share of the purse amounted to $267,750.
The successful staging at the Aichi Sky Expo underscores the region’s growing status as a hub for championship boxing in the lighter weight categories.
The move to fight in Japan was a successful tactical risk for the Australian’s camp. His performance drew praise from international observers, and he was later quoted by ESPN regarding the hard-fought victory. While other fighters like com/filip-hrgovic-stops-dave-allen-moses-itauma-fight-nears/”>Filip Hrgovic move toward their own major bouts, Moloney has solidified his standing by becoming a world titleholder once again in one of boxing’s most historically difficult venues for visiting fighters.
Future outlook for the IBF junior bantamweight division
With the IBF belt changing hands, Moloney now looks toward potential defenses in his home country or in the United States. His orthodox style and counter-punching ability made the difference against Garcia, and he will likely face mandatory challenges in the coming months. The Australian has successfully navigated a difficult road back to the top, proving his resilience after previous career setbacks.
For Willibaldo Garcia, the loss marks the end of a brief reign, but his performance in the middle and late rounds suggests he remains a threat in the 115-pound landscape. Hailing from Copala, Guerrero, the 36-year-old showed he has the engine to push elite challengers.
The super-flyweight division continues to be a highlight of the sport, characterized by technical mastery and high-volume punching, as evidenced by the intense 12-round battle in Tokoname.
