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Andrew Moloney Withdraws from IBF Final Eliminator Against Argi Cortes

After a roller-coaster of scheduling, the much-anticipated IBF junior bantamweight (super flyweight) eliminator between Andrew Moloney and Argi Cortes has been called off—Moloney has officially withdrawn.badlefthook.com

A Fight That Faced One Delay Too Many

  • The bout was initially ordered by the IBF back in May, pitting #5-ranked Cortes against #6 Moloney in a battle to determine the next mandatory challenger at 115 pounds.BoxingScene.combadlefthook.com
  • It was first targeted for July 19 in Monterrey, but pushed to August 9 in Durango, and then again to August 16. Moloney summed it up bluntly:
    “The date’s changed but the mission remains the same.”BoxingScene.com+1boxingshowtimes.comjetwinvip.com

Why Moloney Pulled Out

According to reports, the final straw was a last-minute proposal relocating the fight to Mexico City—over 500 miles from the previously agreed Durango venue. Moloney decided that further disruptions to his preparation and weight cut were unacceptable.badlefthook.com

What’s Next for Cortes—and the IBF Title Picture?

With Moloney out, Cortes (27-4-2, 11 KOs) will now face 20-year-old Colombian Bairon Rodriguez instead.badlefthook.com This pivot leaves the IBF eliminator in limbo. However, the path forward could open up again in time, considering current champion Willibaldo Garcia may not face a mandatory defense immediately.badlefthook.comfightersnetwork.com

Fighter Snapshots

Andrew Moloney

  • Record: 27-4 (17 KOs)Wikipedia
  • A former WBA (Regular) super-flyweight champion with solid amateur roots—Commonwealth Games gold medallist.Wikipedia
  • His recent run: loss to Junto Nakatani (12th-round KO), split decision loss to Pedro Guevara, and a December stoppage of Jakrawut Majungoen.fightersnetwork.comWikipediaringmagazine.com

Argi Cortes

What It Means for the Division

  • Moloney’s withdrawal delays his shot at potentially becoming a two-time world champion—and pulls down one of the season’s most compelling showdowns.
  • Cortes stays active, now facing a different and less proven opponent. But unless the IBF steps back in, the road to a title shot remains murky.
  • Ultimately, the winner between Garcia and Rene Calixto remains the IBF champion—but when the mandatory comes next is anyone’s guess.

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