Jason Moloney expected to get these phone calls after his last performance.

The career-long bantamweight left the ring with regret—and without his WBO belt—after a twelve-round, unanimous decision to Yoshiki Takei last May 6 in Tokyo. Moloney (27-3, 19 KOs) rallied hard and Takei (10-0, 8 KOs), now The Ring’s No. 4 bantamweight, badly hurt in the closing seconds but was far too behind by that point.

Now 34 and beltless, Moloney figured the view from the outside looking in was that he’d reached the steppingstone stage of his career. Other bantamweights would view him as a glossy name to add to their résumé, perhaps the reason he was summoned to next face rising and wildly popular contender Tenshin Nasukawa (5-0, 2 KOs).

Moloney and his team obviously disagree with that perception–but it doesn’t mean they can’t use it to the boxer’s advantage.

“At 34, I’m sure everyone thinks I’ve already reached my peak,” Moloney told The Ring. “Obviously, I’ve looked at it that way, that they’re trying to use me as a steppingstone. They’re trying to build Tenshin off my name.

“I think they saw my fight against Takei and think I have trouble with southpaws. I’ve spent the past several months making sure that’s not true.”

Moloney-Nasukawa is part of a Feb. 24 show that will air live on ESPN+ and Amazon Prime-Japan from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Moloney, The Ring’s No. 7 bantamweight, has not fought since his defeat to Takei last spring. The bout ended his year-long WBO title stay, and left a bad taste in his mouth knowing he left a lot of food on the table that night.

Headed in the opposition direction, Nasukawa has already transformed from a successful kickboxer to an aspiring bantamweight contender in just five fights. Two of those wins have come since Moloney’s last ring appearance, including a ten-round decision of unbeaten Gerwin Asilo last Oct. 14 at Ariake Arena.

The clear plan for Nasukawa is to advance him to the title stage, as all four bantamweight beltholders reside in Japan.

Moloney understands the role he is expected to play in that scene. But the former titlist didn’t come this far just to come this far. In that sense, it can be argued that he’s using Nasukawa’s name value just as much as the opposite is believed to be true.

“Tenshin is a big name. He’s also number two with the WBA and number three with the WBC,” noted Moloney, who is still among the top six with the WBC, IBF and WBO. “A win over him is going to open up doors for myself. It will put me in line for a title shot at well, plus it boosts my profile for my fans at home and in Japan.

“This is an exciting fight for me. I get to taking on a rising contender who has a lot of hype and a big following. An emphatic victory will put me higher in the ratings, in line for another world title and boost my profile in Japan. It’s a win-win.”