Fight Details & Significance
- The bout is an official IBF Junior Bantamweight Title Eliminator, meaning the winner becomes the mandatory challenger for the IBF 115-pound title held by Willibaldo Garcia.
- Originally planned for July 19 in Monterrey, the fight was rescheduled to August 9 in Durango due to planning adjustments.
Fighter Profiles & Records
Andrew Moloney (Australia)
- Record: 27–4 with 17 KOs (approx. 63% KO rate)
- Painted as ‘The Monster’, Moloney has held secondary titles, including the WBA (Regular) super-flyweight title in 2020, Commonwealth and Oceania titles earlier in his career
- Key wins include stoppages against Luis Concepción, Miguel González, Elton Dharry; recent setbacks include close losses to Pedro Guevara (split decision) and Junto Nakatani (late-round KO)
- Returned with a knockout of Jakrawut Majungoen in late 2024 to close out the year.
Argi Cortes (Mexico)
- Record: 27–4–2 with 11 KOs (~41% KO rate) RingMagazine.com+2Box.Live+2BoxingScene.com+2.
- Hailing from Mexico City, he debuted in 2014 and built his reputation with impressive performances against elite-level opponents.
- Notable efforts include a narrow defeat to Juan Francisco Estrada in 2022 and going the distance with Junto Nakatani in 2023 for the WBO title BoxingScene.com+3Bad Left Hook+3RingMagazine.com+3.
- Has since added wins on home ground, most recently a ninth‑round KO of Salvador Juarez in August 2024 BoxingScene.com.
⏱️ Bout Timing & Broadcast Info
- The fight is set for 12-rounds in the Super Flyweight division, which has a weight limit of 115 pounds (52.2 kg) Box.Live+1Bad Left Hook+1.
- Ringwalks are expected around 3:00 AM UTC, which corresponds to 11 PM EST, 8 PM PST, or 4 AM BST depending on viewer location Box.Live.
- Broadcast details haven’t been finalized; official streaming or TV listings are pending confirmation close to fight night Box.Livedanrafael.substack.com.
📊 Fighter Comparison
| Fighter | Age | Height (reach) | Record (KOs) | KO% | Recent Form |
| Moloney | 34 | 5′5″ / ~65″ | 27–4 (17) | ~63% | KO win in 2024, split loss to Guevara |
| Cortes | 30 | 5′4″ / ~64.2″ | 27–4–2 (11) | ~41% | Durable, last KO win versus Juarez 2024 |
Moloney holds the edge in punching power and experience against high‑caliber opponents.- Cortes brings grit, resilience, and the home advantage with crowd support expected in Durango.
🔍 What’s At Stake?
- The winner will earn the mandatory challenger status to face IBF champion Willibaldo Garcia, who recently captured the belt via a split decision in May.
- This is a pivotal opportunity: taking this bout could reboot Moloney’s world title bid, while Cortes could fulfill his breakthrough moment in front of a home crowd.
🧠 Storylines to Watch
- Moloney’s Redemption Arc: After setbacks in high‑stakes fights, a win here could reignite his pursuit of a world title and validate his persistence at elite levels.
- Cortes’s Resilience Test: Having gone the distance with champions and near‑misses, Cortes aims to prove he belongs and can close the deal when it matters.
- Location Factors: Fighting in Mexico could amplify Cortes’s energy and crowd support — while Moloney must adjust to altitude, environment, and possibly partisan judging.
🧾 Betting Lines
- Current odds lean slightly toward Argi Cortes at about –154 while Moloney is listed around +116, suggesting Cortes is a modest favorite by the sportsbooks proboxingodds.com.
- Markets are still shaping up, but consider power advantage and recent form when evaluating value.
🧭 Prediction Outlook
- Expect a tactical, competitive slugfest. Moloney’s punching heavier and ranking higher across sanctioning bodies gives him an edge.
- Cortes may look to outlast and win on volume or home‑court energy.
- A late-round stoppage or close decision is probable — leaning to Moloney securing the win via decision or KO.
✅ Summary
- Event: Andrew Moloney vs. Argi Cortes — IBF title eliminator at Super Flyweight.
- Date & Venue: August 9, 2025 — Durango, Mexico.
- What’s on the line: Spot as mandatory challenger for IBF 115‑lb title.
- Watch for: Moloney’s power and experience vs. Cortes’s toughness and home support.
Let me know if you’d like predictions for undercard matchups, detailed biographies, or insights into the broadcast/streaming options as they become available.