By Ryan Burton
Lightweight contender John Molina (25-3) is just days away from his crossroads battle against undefeated prospect Mickey Bey (18-0-1). The fight serves as the main event of next week's ShoBox card that takes place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Molina just fought on June 7th when he lost a majority decision to Andrey Klimov in a bout that was televised as part of ESPN's Friday Night Fights series. The Southern California native believes that he did enough to get the win in that fight.
"I still feel like I did enough to win the fight with my effective pressure. I thought I won but Klimov fought a good fight. I have to give credit to him," Molina explained.
Molina knows that Bey is a good fighter and gave him credit for his boxing ability and also for his stellar amateur career. There hasn't been any trash talk in the lead up to this fight and Molina said that there is no animosity between the two fighters and that he has a lot of respect for the 30-year-old Bey.
"I think he's a great boxer. He knows how to adapt well given his boxing ability and his extensive career as an amateur," Molina told BoxingScene.com
"He's not a shit talker. He seems like a stand up guy in his interviews. It's nothing personal. We just happen to be fighting."
Bey definitely is on the "A" side of the fight as the card is promoted by his promoter, Mayweather Promotions. Molina is well aware of this and feels that he is at a disadvantage even before he steps in the ring, pointing out that being promoted by the pound for pound king has its advantages.
"I know where I am at. We are in Vegas where Mayweather is the man and he just signed the biggest contract with Showtime. I know what we are up against. I am not going to point any fingers but I know we are fighting a tough battle by go to his home turf," said Molina who also revealed that he will be gunning for a knockout.
"Absolutely (I will be looking for a knockout) because even with a decisive victory we will be in choppy waters (to get a decision). It is nothing against Mickey Bey. He's a great fighter but he hasn't been in with a fighter like me. I think I'm still regarded as the hardest puncher in the division.
Bey-Molina takes place on July 19th and will be broadcast by Showtime. Badou Jack faces Farrah Ennis in the televised co-feature.
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