Jason Moloney reached a point where he knew the WBO title was in his future even though he had a clear shot at another belt.

The only part that caught him slightly off guard, was the fact that Vincent Astrolabio and his team made a similar choice when it appeared they had a more direct title path.

Moloney and Astrolabio will meet for the vacant WBO bantamweight title this weekend at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California (Saturday, ESPN, 10:00 p.m. ET). Their bout comes well before the alternative routes they previously considered. Moloney sensed that an ordered WBC bantamweight title fight versus Nonito Donaire (42-7, 28KOs) wouldn’t see the light of day but seemed confident that the Philippines’ Astrolabio (18-3, 13KOs) would ultimately face Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel Rodriugez (21-2, 13KOs; 1NC) for the IBF belt.

“I was a little bit surprised that we are fighting Astrolabio,” Moloney told BoxingScene.com. “He and Rodriguez both had ties with PBC (Premier Boxing Champions) and we figured that was just the easier route for them.”

“I guess on paper, Rodriguez beat me by split decision, so maybe Astrolabio’s people see me on paper as the easier option. I’m happy they made that decision. They won’t be happy, because they made a big mistake by choosing me.”

Australia’s Moloney (25-2, 19KOs) takes his third swing at a bantamweight title. He fell short to Rodriguez, who held the IBF belt in their October 2018 meeting; and versus then unified WBA/IBF champ Naoya Inoue in October 2020.

Four wins have followed for Moloney since his seventh-round knockout loss to Inoue. Included in the pile are a third-round knockout of former title challenger Aston Palicte last June 5 and a twelve-round, unanimous decision over Nawaphon Kaikanha last October 15, both of which took place in Melbourne, Australia. The victories helped catapult Moloney to the top of the WBC and WBO rankings, leaving him in prime to challenge for either belt once Inoue (24-0, 21KOs) abdicated his undisputed championship throne earlier this year.

The WBC previously ordered a Moloney-Donaire fight, though Top Rank ultimately pulled Moloney from the proceedings. Similarly, Astrolabio—who has won six in a row—had the chance to face Rodriguez, after both won separate IBF title elimination bouts on PBC-branded events. His team—which includes the ubiquitous Sean ‘VIVA’ Gibbons on behalf of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions—decided it was a better fit to challenge for the WBO belt, where he was also highly ranked enough to chase after Moloney.

“I’m excited to fight him. He’s a very good opponent,” stated Moloney. “I was ready to fight Astrolabio or Donaire so this is just fine. He’s heavy handed and extremely hungry. It’s every fighter’s dream to become world champion.

“No doubt he's prepared very hard but I’m confident that I’m levels above him. This weekend will end with me realizing my dream and becoming world champion.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox