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Jason Moloney had initially been tipped to lock in a unification bout for late 2023, but will instead defend his WBO world bantamweight title in January.
Jason Moloney will defend his world bantamweight title for the first time on January 13 and is eyeing a maiden unification bout on Australian soil in April.
Melbourne-born Moloney announced on Thursday he would meet American Saul Sanchez in Quebec City for his first fight since beating Vincent Astrolabio to claim the WBO belt.
On his third attempt at a world title, 'Mayhem' Moloney (26-2, 19 KOs) overcame a hand injury to beat the Filipino by majority decision in May.
After taking a break to allow his hand to recover, Moloney was down to fight Alexandro Santiago for a shot at the WBC title which would have moved him a step closer to undisputed champion status.
But a mandatory fight with Astrolabio has taken priority for Santiago.
IBF champion Emmanuel Rodriguez's decision to retire and then backflip only days later cast doubt over a unification bout between he and Moloney.
Itching to return to the ring, Moloney has opted to prioritise a maiden title defence over a chance for another belt.
"Time was ticking away and I don't want to sit on the sidelines any longer," Moloney told AAP.
"We tried quite hard to make the fight happen in Australia but a few pieces of the puzzle just weren't falling into place.
"Certainly after I'm successful in January, I'm hoping to get out and I'm hoping that a unification fight is next and hopefully in Australia."
Moloney is aiming for that fight to take place in April and wants his brother, super flyweight Andrew, to feature on the same card.
"I'd like that," he said.
"He's fighting December 9 in Melbourne and looking to get a win and get himself back in the title mix.
"Hopefully we'll share a show together early next year.
"I would like to fight probably April, fingers crossed we can have a unification then."
But first, Moloney has been listed on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev's fight with Callum Smith on January 13, the former defending his WBO, WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles.
Australian super middleweight Rohan Murdock will fight Christian Mbilli on the same card in Quebec.
Sanchez (20-2, 12 KOs) last fought in October when he handed Filipino southpaw RV Deniega the first loss of his professional career by unanimous decision in Japan.
The 26-year-old is listed at No.10 on the WBO rankings and is contesting his first world title.
"He's someone who's been on my radar for a while," Moloney said.
"He's going to come into the fight very hungry, it's his first chance at winning a title himself so I'm expecting a really good, hard fight.
"But I believe in myself and believe in my abilities. I think I'm the best bantamweight in the world at the moment and it's time to prove that."
