Carlos Molina-Reyes Sanchez Added to Jhonny Gonzalez 4/2 Bill

By Jake Donovan

With the recent news of Jhonny Gonzalez due to return on April 2 comes confirmation of a supporting bout for the Televisa-televised event live from Acapulco, Mexico.

Another former titlist has been added to the card, as Carlos Molina fights for the third time since returning to the ring last September. The one-time super welterweight champ will take on countryman Reyes Sanchez, serving as the co-feature to Gonzalez’ super featherweight clash with Japan’s Kosuke Saka.

A specific venue in Acapulco is still being sought for the April 2 doubleheader, but getting both fights secured was the primary focus of the event’s handlers.

“With Jhonny and especially with Carlos, activity is key,” Oswaldo Kuchle of Promociones del Pueblo pointed out to BoxingScene.com in confirming the doubleheader. “We liked what we saw in “King” Carlos when he returned to the ring (last September) and were even more impressed in his last fight where he was almost at the welterweight limit.”

Molina (24-6-2, 8KOs) has flirted with the idea of a run in the welterweight division after having spent the majority of his career in the 154 lb. division. It’s where he claimed the lone title win of an otherwise hard luck career – and life – outpointing and dethroning Ishe Smith in Sept. ’13.

His reign lasted just over a year, but submerged in legal troubles which have since been fully cleared and removed from his permanent file. However, what remains is the disappointment that came in a 12-round loss to Cornelius Bundrage in his lone title defense in Oct. ’14.

Two straight wins have followed, looking to make it three in a row as he seeks an active 2016 in-ring campaign.

Sanchez (26-7-2, 15KOs) last fought in October, suffering a 10-round loss to Dante Jardon, who returns on Televisa later this month – one week prior to the aforementioned doubleheader, in fact -  in a terrific crossroads bout with former 130 lb. champ Juan Carlos Salgado.

In the main event, Gonzalez (59-10, 49KOs) seeks his second straight win in continued efforts to leave behind a forgettable 2015 run.

The former two-division champ saw his second tour as a featherweight titlist crash and burn in a 4th round knockout loss to Gary Russell Jr. last March. The loss wasn’t as damaging as was a stunning 10-round defeat at the hands of fringe contender Jonathan Oquendo last September.

Gonzalez has since rebounded with a 12-round win over Hurricane Futa last December.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox