John Molina Jr.

Last updated
John Molina Jr.
Born (1982-12-28) December 28, 1982 (age 41)
Covina, California, U.S.
Other namesThe Gladiator
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm) [1]
Reach72 in (183 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights39
Wins30
Wins by KO24
Losses9

John Molina Jr. (born December 28, 1982) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2006 to 2019. He challenged twice for world titles; the WBC lightweight title in 2012 and the unified WBC and WBO light welterweight titles in 2016.

Contents

Professional career

On April 24, 2010 [2] in the HBO undercard of Chris Arreola vs Tomasz Adamek, Molina beat veteran Jose Antonio Izquierdo by second round K.O. [3]

He fought against undefeated Henry Lundy on ESPN's Friday Night Fights for the WBO NABO Lightweight Championship. [4] During the fight with Lundy, Molina would pressure him and would knockout the Philadelphia fighter in the eleventh round. [5]

In May 2011, John stopped the tough veteran Alejandro Rodríguez to win the vacant WBC USNBC Lightweight Championship with his next fight was a T.K.O. victory on ESPN against Robert Frankel. [6] [7]

After knocking out Dannie Williams in another Friday Night Fights appearance in January 2013, Molina would lose to an undefeated Andrey Klimov by majority decision in June 2013. [8]

After the Klimov loss, Molina fought unbeaten Cleveland lightweight Mickey Bey on the main event of a Mayweather Promotions card broadcast on ShoBox from Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, July 19, 2013. Bey controlled most of the bout up until the 10th and final round, in which Molina hurt Bey with a left hook, and then continued to pound him with hard shots until referee Vic Drakulich stepped in to call a halt to the bout at 2:01 of the 10th round. This round is to be considered by many round of the year for 2013. [9]

Molina was defeated by Adrien Broner via unanimous decision in the first episode of the Premier Boxing Champions series of fights on NBC. [10]

First world title shot

On September 8, 2012, John Molina Jr. got his first world title shot, in a bout against Mexican Antonio DeMarco for the WBC lightweight title. Immediately, Molina was tagged and hurt by a straight left hand from DeMarco, the first shot DeMarco landed. Molina covered up in his corner as DeMarco pelted him until Referee Jack Reiss called a halt to the bout. The end came before 44 seconds had passed in the first round, handing Molina his second career loss. The stoppage would not come without protest where Molina Jr was sitting on the ropes during this time and was expecting to get a standing eight count.

Second world title shot

On December 10, 2016, Molina Jr fought Terence Crawford for the WBC, WBO and The Ring light welterweight titles. Crawford dominated throughout the fight. In the eighth round, Crawford hurt Molina Jr badly with a body shot, which made Molina Jr backtrack, and paved the way for a finish for Crawford. Crawford was hitting Molina Jr from all sides which made the referee stop the fight. [11]

Molina Jr bounced back in his next fight, against Ivan Redkach. Molina Jr once agan was a part of a very entertaining fight. After he got dropped in the second round by Redkach, Molina Jr returned the favor, once in the third and once in the fourth round. The referee stopped the fight in the fourth, with 1:27 left on the clock. [12]

In his next fight, Molina Jr faced Omar Figueroa Jr. Figureoa Jr outperfmored Molina Jr, and controlled the pace for most of the fight with his superior jab. All three judges had scored the fight comfortably in favor of Figueroa Jr, 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93. [13] [14]

On September 28, 2019, Molina Jr battled former world title challenger Josesito Lopez. Lopez dropped Molina Jr twice in the opening round, and controlled most of the opening rounds of the fight. Molina Jr showed some fight during the middle rounds, but Lopez managed to drop him for the third time in the seventh round. As Molina Jr looked hurt, the referee informed him that the first clean shot he takes in the following rounds, would mean an end to the fight. That is exactly what happened in the eighth, and Lopez was awarded the eighth-round TKO win. [15]

Professional boxing record

39 fights30 wins9 losses
By knockout244
By decision65
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
39Loss30–9 Josesito López TKO8 (12), 0:39 Sep 28, 2019 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
38Loss30–8 Omar Figueroa Jr. UD10Feb 16, 2019 Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
37Win30–7 Ivan Redkach KO4 (10), 1:27Dec 15, 2017Pioneer Event Center, Lancaster, California, U.S.
36Loss29–7 Terence Crawford TKO8 (12), 2:32Dec 10, 2016 CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.For WBC, WBO, and The Ring light welterweight titles
35Win29–6 Ruslan Provodnikov UD12Jun 11, 2016 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.Won vacant WBO International light welterweight title
34Win28–6Jorge RomeroTKO3 (10), 0:47Nov 28, 2015 The Bomb Factory, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
33Loss27–6 Adrien Broner UD12Mar 7, 2015MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
32Loss27–5 Humberto Soto UD10 Sep 13, 2014 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
31Loss27–4 Lucas Matthysse KO11 (12), 0:22Apr 26, 2014 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.For vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
30Win27–3Jorge PimentelKO2 (8), 2:59Nov 16, 2013Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S.
29Win26–3 Mickey Bey TKO10 (10), 2:01Jul 19, 2013The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
28Loss25–3 Andrey Klimov MD10Jun 7, 2013 Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, U.S.
27Win25–2Dannie WilliamsKO4 (10), 2:16Jan 11, 2013Pueblo Pavilion at the Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
26Loss24–2 Antonio DeMarco TKO1 (12), 0:44Sep 8, 2012Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.For WBC lightweight title
25Win24–1Miguel Angel MunguiaUD8Jun 23, 2012 Sportsmen's Lodge, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
24Win23–1 Robert Frankel TKO5 (10), 3:00Jun 24, 2011Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
23Win22–1 José Alejandro Rodríguez TKO3 (10), 1:45May 28, 2011BlueWater Resort & Casino, Parker, Arizona, U.S.Won vacant WBC–USNBC lightweight title
22Win21–1 Hank Lundy TKO11 (12), 2:18Jul 9, 2010Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.Won WBO–NABO lightweight title
21Win20–1Jose Antonio IzquierdoKO2 (8), 2:55Apr 24, 2010 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S.
20Win19–1Ricardo MedinaKO1 (8), 1:40Mar 5, 2010Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
19Loss18–1Martin HonorioUD10Nov 28, 2009 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.For vacant WBO–NABO and NABF lightweight titles
18Win18–0Efren HinojosaKO1 (8), 0:34Sep 26, 2009 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
17Win17–0Frankie ArchuletaTKO2 (8), 2:06May 16, 2009 Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
16Win16–0Carlos VinanTKO2 (8), 2:40Mar 27, 2009 Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
15Win15–0Joshua AlloteyKO3 (8), 1:28Feb 6, 2009 Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, U.S.
14Win14–0Fernando Omar LizarragaRTD5 (8), 3:00Nov 20, 2008San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, Highland, California, U.S.
13Win13–0Eddie BrooksUD6Sep 5, 2008Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
12Win12–0Luis Alfredo LugoTKO4 (6), 2:15May 23, 2008Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
11Win11–0Carlos MadridUD6Mar 28, 2008 Industry Hills Expo Center, City of Industry, California, U.S.
10Win10–0Baladan TrevizoTKO2 (6)Feb 15, 2008Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
9Win9–0Eddie BrooksKO2 (6), 2:17Dec 28, 2007Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
8Win8–0Ron BoydTKO1 (6), 2:28Aug 18, 2007 Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S.
7Win7–0Marcus BrashearsUD6Jun 22, 2007 Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
6Win6–0Rudy PazTKO1 (4), 1:59Jan 27, 2007 Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
5Win5–0Odilon RiveraTKO1 (4), 2:11Nov 16, 2006 The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
4Win4–0Julio ChavezUD4Sep 14, 2006 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
3Win3–0Ramiro TorresKO1 (4), 1:47Jul 14, 2006Charro Ranch, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
2Win2–0Ignacio FloresKO1 (4), 0:38May 5, 2006Activities Center, Maywood, California, U.S.
1Win1–0Lester BalmoresKO2 (4), 1:35Mar 31, 2006 Activities Center, Maywood, California, U.S.

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References

  1. 1 2 Fox Sports tale of the tape prior to the Omar Figueroa Jr. fight.
  2. ↑ Seckbach, Elie (2009-10-28). "What's next for Molina". Fan House. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  3. ↑ Mulei, Alessandro (2010-06-30). "Molina with Oscar de la Hoya". EastSide Boxing. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  4. ↑ Seckbach, Elie (2010-07-01). "Molina jr. vs Henry Lundy". Fan House. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  5. ↑ Woods, Michael (2010-07-09). "Undefeated Hank Lundy Gets Mouth Smacked Shut By John Molina jr". The Sweet Science. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  6. ↑ "John Molina vs. Robert Frankel en Viernes de Combates". ESPNdeportes.com. 22 June 2011.
  7. ↑ "John Molina Looks to Kick His Career into High Gear - Boxing News". www.doghouseboxing.com.
  8. ↑ "BoxRec". boxrec.com.
  9. ↑ "Stiff Jab — John Molina Jr Stops Mickey Bey In the Final Round". Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  10. ↑ "Broner defeats Molina by unanimous decision".
  11. ↑ "Terence Crawford Dominates John Molina; Stops Him in 8th Round". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  12. ↑ "John Molina Gets Off The Floor, Drills Ivan Redkach in Epic Slugfest". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  13. ↑ "Figueroa Jr vs Molina Jr - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  14. ↑ "Omar Figueroa Jr. outhustles John Molina Jr. in slugfest to remain undefeated". The Ring. 2019-02-16. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  15. ↑ Christ, Scott (2019-09-28). "Josesito Lopez overpowers John Molina Jr in PPV opener". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by WBO–NABO
lightweight champion
July 9, 2010 – May 2011
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Sharif Bogere
Vacant
Title last held by
Adrien Broner 		WBC–USNBC
lightweight champion
May 28, 2011 – October 2011
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Andrey Klimov
Vacant
Title last held by
Sharif Bogere 		WBO–NABO
lightweight champion
January 11, 2013 – June 2013
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Terence Crawford
Vacant
Title last held by
Jason Pagara 		WBO International
junior welterweight champion
June 11, 2016 – December 10, 2016
Lost bid for world title 		Vacant
Title next held by
Jose Zepeda
Awards
Previous:
Timothy Bradley vs.
Ruslan Provodnikov 		The Ring Fight of the Year
vs. Lucas Matthysse
2014		Next:
Francisco Vargas
vs. Takashi Miura
BWAA Fight of the Year
vs. Lucas Matthysse
2014
Previous:
Robert Easter Jr. vs.
Richard Commey
Round 9		 PBC Round of the Year
vs. Ivan Redkach
Round 3
2017		Next:
Deontay Wilder vs.
Tyson Fury
Round 12
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