Molina is a great technician and fundamentally sound boxer. I like watching him but he has no one to blame but himself for the position he's in.
The Kirkland fight was his chance on the big stage as a co-feature bout on HBO. He did what he was supposed to do. He schooled Kirkland for the majority of the fight but it was mad ugly. The amount of clinching he got away with in that fight was ridiculous. I understand his strategy was to smother the powerful/explosive Kirkland and not let him get off. But fans don't want to see that ****.
There are several talented boxers who master their craft and there are certain fans who can appreciate the sweet science. But at the same time, fights need to sell tickets, gain viewers and make money. And the way Molina fought against Kirkland, fans are not eager to see him fight again.
It takes more than just pure skill and ability to be successful in the fight game. You got to bring excitement and make fans want to pay money to see you compete. A lot of these guys like Molina and Lara need to learn how to use their talents to create offense and generate more excitement. And it can be done. The highest paid athlete in the world is a technician.
Molina is the kinda guy that can't be judge off of one fight. He is capable of putting on more entertaining performances than he did against Kirkland. I find it impressive that he's able to make fights competitive even without the bonus of having power. His fights can get ugly, but if you're not prepared for him physically/mentally, it will definitely show because his style can take the fight outta you.
I'm fairly certain he fought Kirkland that way because of Kirkland's power. And who can honestly blame him??
Molina is the kinda guy that can't be judge off of one fight. He is capable of putting on more entertaining performances than he did against Kirkland. I find it impressive that he's able to make fights competitive even without the bonus of having power. His fights can get ugly, but if you're not prepared for him physically/mentally, it will definitely show because his style can take the fight outta you.
Was he now?? I missed quite a few fights tbh. I'm rather rusty in the knowledge department. Not surprising that he was beating Vanes. I did hear he also did a lot of running. Not surprising though Vanes has underrated power.
It was very ugly, especially early, but in the last three or four rounds before Vanes's cut stopped the fight Lara was handling him pretty well. Shocked that the judges scored it a draw, Vanes had won 2 or 3 rounds at most. Lara was never running, he was clinching and there were headbutts he should be blamed for, but he never ran.
He was beating Vanes convincingly before the fight was stopped, so that helps his resume as well, even listed as a draw. He and Molina are the only two fighting other contenders at the weight.
Was he now?? I missed quite a few fights tbh. I'm rather rusty in the knowledge department. Not surprising that he was beating Vanes. I did hear he also did a lot of running. Not surprising though Vanes has underrated power.
I agree, Molina owned Lara. In fact the only reason (I believe) why Lara is so highly touted is because of the opponent he chose after that fight.
He was beating Vanes convincingly before the fight was stopped, so that helps his resume as well, even listed as a draw. He and Molina are the only two fighting other contenders at the weight.
I can't see an argument for Lara winning that fight to be honest.
He was lucky to get a draw.
I agree, Molina owned Lara. In fact the only reason (I believe) why Lara is so highly touted is because of the opponent he chose after that fight.
Depending on who you think won between Molina and Lara, one of those two has the best resume at 154.
I can't blame people for not liking Carlos Molina, but it irritates me when people try to discredit him. Typically it comes from Alvarez fans.
I can't see an argument for Lara winning that fight to be honest.
He was lucky to get a draw.
was about to post the same thing. he ceratainly shouldn't have been DQ'd, as his cornermen should know to stay the hell out of the ring. we don't know how that fight was going to end. they were scheduled for 12, and kirkland is a finisher. molina would have had a hard time keeping him away while hurt, given his lack of power. if kirkland had it in the tank he could have very well stopped him.
silly ending, that fight. we don't know what would have happened, and certainly can't say to any degree of certainty that either would have won the fight
I suppose.
Although he looked well on his way to winning a wide decision.
I don't think Kirkland would have stopped him in the last round but that's just my opinion.
i haven't watched the Lara fight but he was whopping kirklands ass till i don't know what happened. i think he's got skills but IM not watching him vs Spinks unless i wanna punish myself
Well, he should have the best resume at 154 right now.
Should have got the W over Lara who according to BoxingScene is one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Should have the W over Kirkland.
Beat Cintron who was expected to beat him and was heavy underdog.
Depending on who you think won between Molina and Lara, one of those two has the best resume at 154.
I can't blame people for not liking Carlos Molina, but it irritates me when people try to discredit him. Typically it comes from Alvarez fans.
I think Cotto/Molina is a good fight for both of them. Both with something to prove coming off of a defeat and the other coming off of a suspect defeat. I think their styles mesh well. One likes to clinch, the other doesn't. They both like to hit the body and fight inside. They both can get dirty and they both have a fighters mentality. It probably wouldn't win FOTY but I think it'd be entertaining and get a vote or two. A win for either would breathe some life into both careers.
You can not say that for sure. Kirkland hurt him badly before the DQ, you don't know what was going to happen next, no one does.
was about to post the same thing. he ceratainly shouldn't have been DQ'd, as his cornermen should know to stay the hell out of the ring. we don't know how that fight was going to end. they were scheduled for 12, and kirkland is a finisher. molina would have had a hard time keeping him away while hurt, given his lack of power. if kirkland had it in the tank he could have very well stopped him.
silly ending, that fight. we don't know what would have happened, and certainly can't say to any degree of certainty that either would have won the fight
Well, he should have the best resume at 154 right now.
Should have got the W over Lara who according to BoxingScene is one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Should have the W over Kirkland.
Beat Cintron who was expected to beat him and was heavy underdog.
You can not say that for sure. Kirkland hurt him badly before the DQ, you don't know what was going to happen next, no one does.
Doesn't matter. He's gonna fight Cory spinks in a couple weeks in an IBF eliminator fight, after that he gets K9 Bundrage.
He'll be champ soon enough, after he picks up that IBF strap he'll have a bargaining chip for big fights. Molina's future looks good.
That match up has boring written all over it.
Well, he should have the best resume at 154 right now.
Should have got the W over Lara who according to BoxingScene is one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Should have the W over Kirkland.
Beat Cintron who was expected to beat him and was heavy underdog.
the whole "underrated" tag has more to do with who is doing the rating than the fighter's abilities.
on bscene he gets his credit. the networks don't tout him as a big time name in the division, but that they're even bringing an opponent who is 20-5-2 with 6 knockouts says that they give him some credit / respect.
molina's problem is that he can't break a grape. put a grape on your chin and you've got an iron defense against the guy. he's good enough to win fights without power, but they're not very exciting.
excitement in his fights only happens when the other guy is doing well. that's a hard sell for a network. unless it's ESPN he'll never be the A side of a card anybody cares about.