The former lightweight and lightweight junior champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Puerto Rico's Jose Pedraza, is getting closer to his long-awaited opportunity to seek a third divisional title.
Pedraza returns to the ring on September 19 at the MGM Grand's Conference Center in Las Vegas.
Pedraza, 27-3 with 13 knockouts, will have his third fight at 140 pounds since making his debut at that weight a year ago, this time facing Californian Javier Molina as part of a mini-tournament in that division.
The fight against Molina, with a record of 22-2 and nine knockouts, will be carried on ESPN+.
“I am very happy. They are opportunities that are presented to us. I was a world champion twice, and in this new division it is time to fight with the elite, to have those great opportunities with the great boxers and the big opportunity that I've long for,” said Pedraza told Antolín Maldonado Ríos.
As for Molina's fighting style, Pedraza admits that his style could cause a bit of trouble.
“I haven't seen much of him but he is a tall boxer who uses his reach well. I couldn't tell you about his punch and strength. But from what I saw, he uses his distance very well. The fights he has done have been a bit boring but mostly because he boxes a lot. It can cause a bit of trouble. But, I have always fought well with tall fighters," added Pedraza,
Pedraza returns from defeating Mikkel LesPierre by unanimous decision on July 2. The fight with Molina was supposed to take place on May 9 in California, but the card was canceled due to COVID-19.
Pedraza is banking on a potential world title opportunity, if Jose Ramirez and Josh Taylor eventually collide in their full division unification.
"That would then leave four vacant titles available, so all the boxers who are in these mini-tournaments would then fight [for vacant belts]," explained Top Rank rep Gardy Lopez.