The 30-year-old was a class above Froilan Saludar on Tuesday night, judges handing him the unanimous points decision 99-91, 98-92 and 98-91 after 10 rounds in Sydney.

"He was so tough," Moloney said of his Filipino rival.

"A few times I thought I might've had him there, but just his head is made out of concrete or something ... just so tough."

It was Moloney's first fight on home soil since claiming the WBA super-flyweight title in November 2019, and comes after a trio of bouts with Joshua Franco that threatened to derail his career.

Moloney was controversially beaten in their first match-up before a no-result was determined in their second when a cut Franco suffered from a punch was deemed to have been caused by an accidental headbutt.

The Victorian lost the third fight to Franco in August but on Tuesday night improved his record to 22-2 and one no contest in a performance that renewed confidence in his latest title tilt.

Ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, Moloney is eyeing four-weight world champion Kazuto Ioka's WBO strap.

The Japanese boxer will defend his title against countryman Ryoji Fukunaga on New Year's Eve, Moloney seeking a date with the champion "as early as possible" next year.

Australian Associated Press