By Ryan Burton
John Molina Jr. (20-1 16 KOs) of Covina, California is scheduled to clash with Philadelphia's Hank Lundy (18-0) on July 9th for the WBO NABO lightweight title in a bout televised by ESPN. The highly anticipated showdown between two of the lightweight division's rising stars takes place at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Molina talks to Boxingscene about his preparation for the fight, keys to victory and what a win over Lundy will do for his career in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: Tell us about your upcoming fight with Henry Lundy.
John Molina: It is going down on July 9th in Lincoln, Rhode Island. I am going back East. I am going to pack my bags and do some work on the road. I am preparing well for it now. Me and Joe Goosen (Trainer) are stepping it up and we are in the middle of camp right now. I think it should be a very entertaining fight for the fans.
BoxingScene.com: Most of your fights have been fought in your native California. What made you and your team decide to head back east and fight against an undefeated fighter in Hank Lundy?
John Molina: I think it is going to be a good fight for the fans and I think it will be a good fight for myself. I think it is the right fight at the right time in my career. I think this fight will do nothing but great things for my career. Hank Lundy is a great fighter. He is undefeated and he holds the NABO title right now so I think it will be a good fight. It was a decision made by my promoters and my managers. We sat down and hashed it out and it looked like the thing to do so we are going to go for it.
BoxingScene.com: Since suffering your only defeat you have won two fights in a row. Do you think you have regained most of the momentum you had built up prior to that fight?
John Molina: I think that I haven't yet got all that momentum back. I think that after this fight, God willing everything goes well, that we will be right where he need to be.
BoxingScene.com: How has training gone so far?
John Molina: So far it has been great. Sparring has been great. Joe (Goossen) has the recipe on how we are going to get through this fight and we are working it to the "T". We have about four weeks left of camp so we will be well prepared. I am sure Lundy will be well prepared as well.
BoxingScene.com: Have you seen any of Lundy's fights?
John Molina: I have seen quite a few of his fights. I saw his last fight on ESPN (a UD victory over Tyrese Hendrix) and I have seen how he moves. I know what I am going up against and I am pretty confident in my ability. Like I said I think this is going to be a great fight for the fans to watch and enjoy. You have two up and coming guys, both hungry with the same goal in mind and it is going to make for a very entertaining fight.
BoxingScene.com: You are known as an aggressive fighter that likes to really go after your opponents. Do you think if you guys stand and trade that it will play into your favor?
John Molina: Absolutely I think it would play into my favor. I think I am the bigger guy. Well on paper I am definitely the bigger guy. You know me, I am an all action fighter. I do think it will be to my advantage if he tries to bang with me.
BoxingScene.com: Do you view this as a do or die fight in which a loss would be a tremendous setback in your career?
John Molina: Yes and no. I go into every fight looking to come out victorious. I am viewing this fight just like any other fight I have fought. I view everyone as a world beater. I am going to go in there and I am not taking him lightly by any means. He is the champ right now of the NABO and he is undefeated for a reason and we are going back east where he is from. Yes if I were lose the fight I think it would be a step in the wrong direction. In the sport of boxing a loss can really stop your momentum. My intentions are to win and I plan on doing so.
BoxingScene.com: On the other hand what do you think a win over Lundy does for your career?
John Molina: It sets me right in the thick of things to be able to call out the top guys in the division. I think a win over this guy will put my ranking sky high and like I said after him I will fight whoever my promoters and managers want to put me up against. I think we can go after anybody after this. A win over Lundy is going to put me in a great position. A win for either of us is going to put the winner in a great position. That is why it is such a great fight and why a lot of people are intrigued to see the outcome of this fight.
BoxingScene.com: Last time we talked you said you tried to get a rematch with Martin Honorio, the fighter who gave you your only defeat and that he declined a rematch. Are you still interested in that rematch or is that water under the bridge and you have moved on from that fight and you aren't interested anymore.
John Molina: That is water under the bridge. I am generally not interested anymore. It is what it is and it was a great learning experience for me. Like I said it was a learning experience, a notch on my belt. Obviously you like to learn and get the "W" but it wasn't to be that night. People know the circumstances of that night. Come July 9 they are going to see what I am all about.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
John Molina: My message for the fans is the same message I always say. You are going to see a great fight on ESPN. Tune in on July 9th and you will see myself and Hank Lundy put on a great show. I can guarantee you that.
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