John Molina Jr.

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.

This article is about the American boxer. For the Puerto Rican boxer, see John John Molina.
John Molina Jr.
Statistics
Nickname(s)The Gladiator
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[1]
Reach72 in (183 cm)[1]
NationalityAmerican
Born (1982-12-28) December 28, 1982
Covina, California, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights39
Wins30
Wins by KO24
Losses9

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
Professional record summary
39 fights 30 wins 9 losses
By knockout 24 4
By decision 6 5
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
39 Loss 30–9 Josesito López TKO 8 (12), 0:39 Sep 28, 2019 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
38 Loss 30–8 Omar Figueroa Jr. UD 10 Feb 16, 2019 Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
37 Win 30–7 Ivan Redkach KO 4 (10), 1:27 Dec 15, 2017 Pioneer Event Center, Lancaster, California, U.S.
36 Loss 29–7 Terence Crawford TKO 8 (12), 2:32 Dec 10, 2016 CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. For WBC, WBO, and The Ring light welterweight titles
35 Win 29–6 Ruslan Provodnikov UD 12 Jun 11, 2016 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. Won vacant WBO International light welterweight title
34 Win 28–6 Jorge Romero TKO 3 (10), 0:47 Nov 28, 2015 The Bomb Factory, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
33 Loss 27–6 Adrien Broner UD 12 Mar 7, 2015 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
32 Loss 27–5 Humberto Soto UD 10 Sep 13, 2014 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
31 Loss 27–4 Lucas Matthysse KO 11 (12), 0:22 Apr 26, 2014 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. For vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
30 Win 27–3 Jorge Pimentel KO 2 (8), 2:59 Nov 16, 2013 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S.
29 Win 26–3 Mickey Bey TKO 10 (10), 2:01 Jul 19, 2013 The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
28 Loss 25–3 Andrey Klimov MD 10 Jun 7, 2013 Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, U.S.
27 Win 25–2 Dannie Williams KO 4 (10), 2:16 Jan 11, 2013 Pueblo Pavilion at the Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
26 Loss 24–2 Antonio DeMarco TKO 1 (12), 0:44 Sep 8, 2012 Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, U.S. For WBC lightweight title
25 Win 24–1 Miguel Angel Munguia UD 8 Jun 23, 2012 Sportsmen's Lodge, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
24 Win 23–1 Robert Frankel TKO 5 (10), 3:00 Jun 24, 2011 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
23 Win 22–1 José Alejandro Rodríguez TKO 3 (10), 1:45 May 28, 2011 BlueWater Resort & Casino, Parker, Arizona, U.S. Won vacant WBC–USNBC lightweight title
22 Win 21–1 Hank Lundy TKO 11 (12), 2:18 Jul 9, 2010 Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S. Won WBO–NABO lightweight title
21 Win 20–1 Jose Antonio Izquierdo KO 2 (8), 2:55 Apr 24, 2010 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S.
20 Win 19–1 Ricardo Medina KO 1 (8), 1:40 Mar 5, 2010 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
19 Loss 18–1 Martin Honorio UD 10 Nov 28, 2009 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. For vacant WBO–NABO and NABF lightweight titles
18 Win 18–0 Efren Hinojosa KO 1 (8), 0:34 Sep 26, 2009 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Frankie Archuleta TKO 2 (8), 2:06 May 16, 2009 Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Carlos Vinan TKO 2 (8), 2:40 Mar 27, 2009 Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Joshua Allotey KO 3 (8), 1:28 Feb 6, 2009 Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Fernando Omar Lizarraga RTD 5 (8), 3:00 Nov 20, 2008 San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, Highland, California, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Eddie Brooks UD 6 Sep 5, 2008 Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Luis Alfredo Lugo TKO 4 (6), 2:15 May 23, 2008 Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Carlos Madrid UD 6 Mar 28, 2008 Industry Hills Expo Center, City of Industry, California, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Baladan Trevizo TKO 2 (6) Feb 15, 2008 Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Eddie Brooks KO 2 (6), 2:17 Dec 28, 2007 Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Ron Boyd TKO 1 (6), 2:28 Aug 18, 2007 Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Marcus Brashears UD 6 Jun 22, 2007 Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Rudy Paz TKO 1 (4), 1:59 Jan 27, 2007 Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Odilon Rivera TKO 1 (4), 2:11 Nov 16, 2006 The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Julio Chavez UD 4 Sep 14, 2006 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Ramiro Torres KO 1 (4), 1:47 Jul 14, 2006 Charro Ranch, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Ignacio Flores KO 1 (4), 0:38 May 5, 2006 Activities Center, Maywood, California, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Lester Balmores KO 2 (4), 1:35 Mar 31, 2006 Activities Center, Maywood, California, U.S.

References
  1. 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
Hank Lundy		 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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