Joshua Franco Defeats Andrew Moloney to Retain Secondary WBA Title

Joshua Franco is keeping his title…

The 25-year-old Latino boxer has settled the score with Andrew Moloney, capping a rivalry that climaxed with a controversial finish in November and ended at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Saturday with a decisive victory in the ESPN main event.

Joshua Franco

Franco, nicknamed “El Profesor,” retained his secondary WBA title at 115 pounds with a unanimous decision over Moloney. All three judges scored the fight 116-112.

Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez is the recognized champion at junior bantamweight.

Earlier this week, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza announced his intentions to clean up the plentiful secondary titles that have muddied the championship picture. But with the win, Franco figures to earn a shot at one of the “big four” at 115 pounds in the near future, a stacked division headlined by Juan Francisco Estrada, Gonzalez, Kazuto Ioka and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.

“I see bigger fights. I see Chocolatito, Gallo Estrada, Ioka,” said Franco, ESPN’s No. 6 boxer at 115 pounds. “For sure, this win puts me top five, on the same list as the other champions. I needed this fight to prove myself.”

Franco (18-1-2, 8 KOs) consistently beat Moloney to the punch and landed the cleaner, harder shots. The bout featured plenty of inside fighting, but it was always Franco who was able to push Moloney back in those exchanges.

Despite being just 25 years old, Franco has now been a part of two boxing trilogies. He fought Oscar Negrete three consecutive times in 2018 and 2019, with a win sandwiched between two draws. Saturday’s victory over Moloney came in a third meeting.

Franco scored a unanimous decision win over Moloney (ESPN’s No. 7 115-pounder) in June 2020, when an 11th-round knockdown was the difference-maker.

In the November rematch, Moloney closed Franco’s right eye before the ringside doctor stopped the fight in Round 2.

Believing he had just exacted revenge, Moloney (21-2, 14 KOs) jumped onto the turnbuckle to celebrate. Instead, he was met by the feeling he was robbed of his biggest victory to date. Referee Russell Mora curiously ruled that the swelling was the result of an accidental clash of heads, and the fight was deemed a no-contest even after instant replay was consulted for more than 25 minutes. In reality, it was Moloney’s punches — 51 connected in just two rounds. (Franco landed 18.)

“That eye was closed by 50 jabs,” Moloney said in November. “That’s why his eye is shut — not the head-butt. There’s no head-butt. I can’t believe they took this away from me. I’ve trained my ass off for the last five months, been away from my family, and they just take it away from me. I can’t believe they didn’t give it to me. That’s why they have instant replay working right now.”

This time, instant replay did its job. Referee Jack Reiss called a knockdown in Saturday’s Round 7 after Franco fell to the canvas, but after the sequence was reviewed, the ruling was reversed.

“The call wasn’t right; I knew that I slipped,” Franco said. “When he told me they’d go to replay, I said, ‘OK, they’ll get it right.'”

The first third of Saturday’s fight was difficult to score, with tons of inside fighting. But like in the first meeting, Franco took over as the fight pushed on. His jab was the key this time around, setting up 127 power punches landed to Moloney’s 73.

“I had to switch it up on him,” said Franco, who is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya. “He thought I was going to put pressure on him the whole time. That wasn’t working, so I had to switch it up and go to my boxing skills.

“I had fun with my rhythm, with my jab, my feet. I’m comfortable in there, and that’s what I did.”

Michael Sanchez to Participate in “The Voice: Neon Dreams”

Michael Sanchez is bringing his Voice experience to Las Vegas…

The Latino musician and pianist, a contestant on The Voice in season 11, will lead the band of The Voice: Neon Dreams, a show featuring all-star vocalists from NBC’s Emmy-winning reality singing competition.

Michael Sanchez

The show, opening in the spring of 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, will feature season 10 winner Alisan Porter, Chris Mann (season two), Mary Sarah (season 10), Matthew Schuler (season five), and Matt McAndrew (season seven).

They’ll be joined by future winners of the show and backed by a versatile band led by Sanchez.

“Over the last three years, we’ve worked tirelessly with our partners at NBC, Talpa Media and the Hard Rock Hotel to develop one of the most unique and engaging music experiences on the planet,” said BASE Entertainment Creative Director, Vincent Marini. “From the unrivaled talent, to the one-of-a-kind lobby experience, to the venue’s innovative 360-degree design, The Voice: Neon Dreams will be an electrifying ride through nearly every musical genre you can imagine. So whether you’re a fan of the hit TV show or a just a fan of great music, this is the new Las Vegas production you have to see.”

“We’re extremely proud to be the home of The Voice: Neon Dreams, which is another Vegas first and destined to be one of the most spectacular entertainment offerings in the city,” said Hard Rock Hotel & Casino COO Jody Lake.  “We couldn’t ask for a better complement to the continuing expansion and evolution of our property.”

The Voice: Neon Dreams is not just a concert, but an entire experience which includes an exclusive exhibition-style lobby space that gives an exclusive look inside The Voice. It will feature one-of-a-kind memorabilia, including the show’s original signature chairs signed by the coaches who used them; an interactive exploration of The Voice around the world; the digital Coaches Corner; and a chance for ticketholders an opportunity to follow their own “neon dreams and record an audition in one of four cutting-edge recording suites for a chance to sing onstage that night and compete for a coveted spot on a future season of The Voice.

Santana To Headline at Vegas’ House of Blues

Carlos Santana will be singing at the Blues in Sin City in the near future…

The 64-year-old legendary Mexican rock guitarist is planning a two-year headlining gig at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, switching venues from his previous home at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Carlos Santana

Representatives for the House of Blues say the 10-time Grammy winner will have a run of shows in May and June, then return in September with the residency running through 2013.

Santana, considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, says he’s happy to call the venue home, and plans to honor the diversity and culture that the House of Blues promotes as a company.

Part of each ticket sale will go to Santana’s The Milagro Foundation, which supports children’s art, education and health.

Tickets go on sale next month.