On December 15 on the Golden Boy Promotional Card, Amir Khan will make a bid to return to winning ways by participating in a Main Event Super Lightweight Contest against Carlos Molina at the LA Sports Centre. The Bolton native is hitting the comeback trail after a disastrous 12 months that have seen him suffer a point’s defeat to Lamont Peterson and a stoppage by Danny Garcia respectively.
The majority of the media focus quite rightly so has been on Khan (26-3), the former Light Welterweight Champion. However, boxing is a sport that does live up to that age old cliché ‘it takes 2 to tango’.With that being said it wouldn’t be too far reaching a statement to say that the man he’ll be standing across the ring from is a relatively unknown fighter in the grand scheme of the night, with the main spotlight being on ‘King Khan’.
27 year old Californian native Carlos Molina will walk down the aisle to play his part in the Main Event in a bid to keep his own zero intact and inflict a potentially devastating 4th defeat on Virgil Hunters newest protégé. ThaBoxingVoice.com caught up with the mild-mannered likeable Molina who seemed in a very buoyant and confident mood.
Molina is a fighter with a 17-0 record so far as a pro featuring 7 of those wins by knockout. His KO percentage would suggest that he’s not a huge puncher, hence the reason why he’s been chosen for this contest by Khans new trainer Virgil Hunter (who is trying to rebuild his new stars confidence).
Molina however remains unfazed saying, “I was picked because they think they’re going to bully me around the ring, they’re in for a big surprise, I’m going to shock the world.”
Molina will move up from 135 to 140 for the fight (only the 2nd time he’s fought at the weight). It’s also the first time he’ll be involved in a 12 round contest (he’s only previously fought 10). Despite these challenges the underdog smells the odor of opportunity. “We’re ready to fight tomorrow; I’m really motivated and can’t wait. The world will know who I am once I beat Khan.”
Now it may be all going well being physically prepared and optimistic, but it’s going to take more than that to be successful against the blinding speed and renewed focus of his more famous counterpart. So what’s the game plan?
It’s obvious that Molina has studied previous Khan Conquerors in detail looking for ways to mimic their successes, particularly Lamont Peterson. Peterson, like Molina wasn’t a renowned KO artist but had great success against Khan in their previous battle. “’We know that he struggles if you frustrate him and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Fighting in his native California has given Molina the feel good vibe, not only in his preparation, but also in his attitude. Fighting in a televised Main Event against a World Class Former Champion would be enough to give some fighters ‘pre occasion nerves’.
Molina simply stated with a smile, “When the lights go on, it’s going to be my time to shine. When the lights go on, we’re going to bring those bad habits out of him, and those nightmares will come back.”
On December 15, Golden Boy looks set to be providing us with a Pre-Christmas cracker of a card and Main Event with the hungry, focused, undefeated and quietly confident Carlos Molina. Molina is hoping to make headlines worldwide by claiming the scalp of the super fast and incredibly dangerous Amir Khan. Khan who is flanked by his new trainer Virgil Hunter is determined to prove to the world once again that he is indeed ‘King Khan’.
For Full Audio of this interview click here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thaboxingvoiceradioshow/2012/11/30/mike-stafford-jean-pascal-carlos-molina-lester-bedford
