Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 21 Feb 2026
It’ll be a perfect belated Valentine’s Day gift for the Lover Boy if IBF allows top bantamweight contender Kenneth Llover a fight against Australia’s Jason Moloney instead of an eliminator before sanctioning a world title crack in champion Jose Salas Reyes’ first defense in July.
Llover, 23, is ranked No. 3 by IBF but the slots for No. 1 and No. 2 are vacant so he’s next in line to challenge for the crown. He’s also ranked No. 7 by WBC and No. 10 by WBA, clearly establishing his status as a legitimate title challenger. His manager Gerry Penalosa said a tune-up in March is in the works to get ready for Reyes and Moloney could be the opponent.
But there’s word that IBF will mandate Llover to hurdle an eliminator ahead of facing Reyes. Whom Llover will engage in an eliminator isn’t clear. Penalosa said he’s waiting for an order from IBF. Llover couldn’t care less if he takes on Moloney in a tune-up or somebody else in an eliminator. He’ll fight whomever is in the opposite corner when the bell rings.
Moloney, 35, is a former WBO bantamweight champion and has a long list of Filipino victims in his resume. Among those whom he tormented were Vincent Astrolabio, Aston Palicte and Lolito Sonsona. His record is 27-4, with 19 KOs. Reyes, 23, is Llover’s ultimate target. The Tijuana southpaw has a record of 17-0, with 11 KOs, almost identical to Llover’s slate of 17-0, with 12 KOs. Both turned pro in 2020 and it looks like they’re headed for a collision course. Reyes won the IBF belt by halting South African Landile Ngxeke in Mexico City last December.
“Naka-hold ang schedule ng next fight ni Kenneth,” said Penalosa, a two-division world champion. “It was supposed to be in March against Moloney then July against Reyes but there could be changes.” Penalosa said he’s excited to hold the fight against Moloney, if ever, at the MOA Arena although Llover’s promoter Koki Kameda wants it in Tokyo. “We’re just waiting for IBF’s order and at the same time, nag-request kami sa IBF to allow Kenneth to fight Moloney in March,” he added.
Once Llover is cleared to challenge Reyes, Penalosa said it would be a dream to stage the bout in Manila but the Mexican’s asking price may be too high for a local promoter to bankroll. It’ll likely be in Tokyo where Kameda is able to raise the money for Reyes. Penalosa is confident that once Llover steps onto the ring to battle Reyes, another Filipino will emerge a world champion.
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