John Molina Talks Frankel Bout, Bogere, Soto, Guerrero

BoxingScene.com recently caught up with lightweight contender John Molina Jr. (22-1)  at Club House 66 in Glendora, California.  Molina spoke about his recent TKO victory over Alejandro Rodriguez, his upcoming fight versus Robert Frankel (28-10-1) that will be televised by ESPN2 and more in this exclusive interview.

BoxingScene:  Lets start with your last fight versus Alejandro Rodriguez that took place on May 28th.  That was your first fight in about 10 months.  How did it feel to finally be back in the ring?

John Molina:  It felt great man.  The thing about Alejandro Rodriguez is that he had never been dropped, he was a sturdy guy.  He went the distance with Eloy Perez who I think is a good boxer but he can't crack an egg.  He had never been dropped and when it was all said and done I dropped him four times in the fight.  It was good to get the rust off and incorporate some of the new stuff that my new trainer has been showing me. 

BoxingScene:  Now that you have that fight out of the way Robert Frankel is up next.  You were telling me earlier that he thinks that you are taking him lightly.  Why is he thinking that?

John Molina:  I don't know if its his management and the writers who are saying, that obviously with where Molina (talking in third person) is at right now he is looking to take that next step to get a shot at a world title but I can tell you that I am not overlooking him.  As far as I am concerned Robert Frankel is the guy to beat.  I am taking him dead serious.  We are training very hard.  We went back to back camps and we are training very hard right now.  I weighed in at 134 for the last fight.  I know he went the distance with David Diaz who I have a lot of respect for but David Diaz doesn't punch like I do.  I want Robert Frankel to know that I am taking him very serious.  I am well prepared and I look forward to executing my game plan on June 24th.

BoxingScene:  Speaking of the title shot, I know you are ranked high by the WBO and with Marquez moving up would Robert Guerrero (the interm champion) be your potential opponent?

John Molina:  I am not really sure since it looks like Robert Guerrero is moving up to 140 to fight (Marcos) Maidana.  If Robert Guerrero wants to get it on that would be a great fight.  He doesn't take a backward step and I don't take a backward step.  We know I can take a shot.  You know my style, the word on me is that I am a Frankenstein.  I just take shots and keep coming forward.  I think we have kind of tightened that up with my new trainers Mario and Raymond Morales.  I am going to be be able to show people my strength and my height and now my jab.  The jab that people have never seen before.  With my right hand everybody knows that I can really hit. 

BoxingScene:  If it isn't going to be Guerrero and if you had your choice who would you like to face?

John Molina:  I really want Humberto Soto.  I would take Soto, Guerrero or I would even go for the silver belt with the WBC for now.  I just won the WBC USNBC title which puts me in line for the silver belt and then the championship.  That was our game plan to get that title to get my rankings right above where it needs to be make the mandatory.  I really see Humberto Soto in my near future.  I am sure he will want that fight and I would love that fight.  The WBC is a pretty prestigious title and I would love that belt. 

BoxingScene: You were set to fight Sharif Bogere on ShoBox last month but your team decided to take a different route.  Tell us about that.

John Molina:  A lot of people said that I don't want to fight Sharif Bogere or Raymundo Beltran (who ended up fighting Bogere in Molina's place) but I am not the type of guy who avoids people.  At the same time I believe that I am a little bit ahead of those guys and they need to come their way up.  Down the line lets get it on.  In regards to the Sharif Bogere and Raymundo Beltran fight although I really don't care too much for Beltran I think he won that fight hands down.  I think Bogere is just a hype entry act and his chin was revealed in that fight by Beltran who is not a big puncher.  He is a doubles hitter and not a home run hitter.  I think he taught Bogere some things he needed to learn before he gets to the next level.  I am not into ducking anybody.  I am in to getting the right fights that make sense that the fans want to see.  This is going to be my year.  With Sergio Diaz as my manager it speaks for itself.  Look where Antonio Margarito is right now.  I think Sergio Diaz is going to guide me the same way.  The fight at hand is Robert Frankel and I am taking him very serious.  He is crafty.  He is durable and he has a lot of heart so that will make for a very entertaining fight that will be in 3D on ESPN2 which is awesome. 

BoxingScene:  Do you have any closing thoughts?

John Molina:  If there is anything I want to get across in this interview it is that Robert Frankel, "I am not taking you lightly.  I am taking you dead serious and when I wake up I think about you.  When I go to bed I think about you.  When I go to run I am thinking about you.  You better believe that I am coming for you on the 24th.  I am very prepared and I am sure you will be very prepared as well."  The fans are going to get to see a very interesting fight. 

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