Astrolabio, Moloney set for face-off

MANTECA, California—World bantamweight title combatants Vincent Astrolabio of the Philippines and Jason Moloney of Australia will come face-to-face Thursday afternoon (Friday morning in Manila) during a press conference at the Great Wolf Lodge.

Astrolabio and Moloney vie for the vacant World Boxing Organization 118-lb throne this Saturday night (late-Sunday morning in Manila) in the co-main event of a big show at the Stockton Arena.

Having spent the most crucial phase of training camp in Las Vegas, Astrolabio is craving to wear a crown so he could join the likes of Melvin Jerusalem and Marlon Tapales.

Moloney, who has failed to win the world bantam diadem twice, believes his third try will finally bring him good luck.

Astrolabio is joined here by chief trainer Nonoy Neri, training assistant Ting Ariosa and the support crew of brothers Brendan and Parker Gibbons and their father Sean.

After their staredown during the presser, the official weighin follows Friday at 1 p.m. also at the same venue.