Moloney defends world title against Franco

Australia's WBA super flyweight world champion Andrew Moloney will defend his title against American Joshua Franco in Las Vegas on June 24.

The 29-year-old Moloney, who boasts a 21-0 fight record, won the interim title against Elton Dharry in Melbourne last November.

He was upgraded to regular champion status after Roman Gonzalez became the Super champion with a win over Kal Yafai in February.

WBA president Gilberto Mendoza has made it clear Moloney should be Gonzalez's next opponent should the Australian win his first title defence.

Franco, a 24-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, has a record of 16-1-2.

Two days later in Las Vegas, Moloney's twin brother Jason (20-1) will fight Colombian-born California-based Oscar Negrete (19-2-2), who fought three times against Franco for a loss and two draws.

Bantamweight Jason Moloney is ranked in the top five of all four major organisations while Negrete is rated just outside the top 10 by both the WBA and WBC.,

Negrete won the vacant WBA International bantamweight title in his most recent fight.