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Eric Molina is in his twilight years, but he’s still perilous

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Wardley breezed past Richard Lartey in two rounds in November Photo Credit: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing

On March 6, Fabio Wardley returns to action against former two-time world title challenger Eric Molina. Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing
On March 6, Fabio Wardley returns to action against former two-time world title challenger Eric Molina. Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing

Fabio Wardley says Eric Molina remains a perilous operator and a victory on March 6 would elevate his name even further in the heavyweight division.

Wardley (10-0, 9 KOs) will face former two-time world heavyweight title challenger Molina (27-6, 19 KOs) on the undercard of his manager Dillian Whyte’s rematch with Alexander Povektin scheduled for March 6 at a venue yet to be confirmed.

The Ipswich fighter, who stopped Richard Lartey inside two rounds in November, believes the 38-year-old Molina is still a threat and has experience on his side heading into the fight.

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s certainly not a top-tier Eric Molina, he’s obviously in the twilight of his career,” Wardley said. proboxing-fans.com.

“But that doesn’t make him any less perilous, the last thing you lose is power and all that time in the ring, and the only thing you gain is more experience.

“So he knows his way around the ring, he’ll know how to withstand my punches, how to counter, how to strike back, how to try to move me, a lot of little things that he’s already done and done,” and I know 100 times.

In November, Wardley easily outpointed Richard Lartey in two rounds. Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing
In November, Wardley easily outpointed Richard Lartey in two rounds. Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing

“So the thing is, I’m really trying to figure this out.”

Molina has six losses in his 33-fight career, most recently to unbeaten Croatian Filip Hrgovic, who stopped him in three rounds on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in December 2019.

The Texan had two chances at heavyweight glory following a nine-round defeat to Deontay Wilder in 2015, while he was stopped by Joshua in three rounds in 2016, and Wardley believes it would be something of a statement for him, especially given his lack of experience as both an amateur and professional boxer.

Molina was stopped in three rounds by Filip Hrgovic in his last fight in December 2019. Photo: Ian Walton/Matchroom Boxing
Molina was stopped in three rounds by Filip Hrgovic in his last fight in December 2019. Photo: Ian Walton/Matchroom Boxing

Asked where a win over Molina would put him, the 26-year-old replied: “That’s not really a concern.

“The problem is, as I said, getting the quality of the fight that I want. Someone good and with a good name, with a good reputation that I can praise and say, ‘Oh, great, we got through this, we did pretty well.’

“As far as where it puts me, it doesn’t really matter to me, I’m not trying to fight for world titles next.

“All it does is that I managed to beat a good name, and it just puts my name out there a little bit more and the bigger names out there and just gets me in the conversation, which is fine by me because all I want to do this year is stay dynamic and keep growing and keep going.

“Of course [it would be a statement] but there will always be people who when it happens will say, “well, it wasn’t the same, there was this, there was that”, which is a fair point, I understand it like don’t get me wrong

“But ultimately, if you want to take it as it is, I have 10 fights under my belt or if you want to go back in time, I have 14 fights under my belt, four of which are white-collar, that’s where I’m at and for my 11th fight I decided to face a two-time former world title challenger.

“Who else takes that kind of risk? Who takes those kinds of fights, 10, 11 fights, who does that kind of stuff?

“That’s all I’d say to that is, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t the best Eric Molina you’ll ever see, but I’m still very early in my career and at this point or this, it’s a huge risk and a huge fight.

Watch the full interview with Fabio Wardley below, where he discusses Anthony Joshua’s sparring, Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte 2, Oleksandr Usyk vs. Joe Joyce, and more:

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Interviews

Natasha Jonas vs. Ivana Habazin

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Jonas dominated Habazin Photo Credit: Chris Dean/ Boxxer

Natasha Jonas became the unified welterweight world champion after defeating Ivana Habazin in Liverpool on Saturday. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Natasha Jonas became the unified welterweight world champion after defeating Ivana Habazin in Liverpool on Saturday. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer

Natasha Jonas unified the welterweight division by defeating Ivana Habazin by clear points on Saturday to add the WBC title to her IBF crown at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool.

Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KO) was last seen defending her title in January in a hard-fought split decision over Mikaela Mayer, while Habazin (23-6, 7 KO) won the vacant WBC welterweight title in her home country. time out, winning by wide points over Kinga Magyar.

After a technical opening round, Jonas settled into a steady rhythm before landing a powerful right hand in the fourth round that crushed Habazin.

There was a rivalry, but the home favorite was much better in the rallies and seemed to be losing round after round.

This situation lasted until the final bell, when Jonas became the winner by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92.

Jonas dominated Habazin. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Jonas dominated Habazin. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Price is closing in on Jonas’ match

Lauren Price definitely stayed on as a collision course with Jonas and easily defended her WBA and IBO welterweight titles after a third-round fight against Bexcy Mateus.

Mateus (7-1, 6 KO) was on board in the first round, after the Welshman landed a powerful left hand, and the Colombian struggled to match Price’s speed.

The same shot caused the 29-year-old to repeat the punch in the second round, and the round later ended when another stinging left hand stunned Meteus and she fell to the canvas, after which the fight was stopped.

Price (8-0, 2 KO) has agreed to face Jonas next, and promoter Ben Shalom revealed it could be announced next week.

Knife edge passes McKenna

Lee Cutler scored an upset victory to claim the silver WBC International welterweight title after winning a majority decision against Stephen McKenna.

McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) was eliminated in the first round, his knee touching the canvas after being tagged, and Cutler (15-1, 7 KO) took full advantage of his opponent’s weakness in the seventh round when his right hand plunged into his knee. The Irishman who ultimately fell once again.

McKenna was relentless in his attacks and landed a huge number of punches.

The balance of 94-94 was surpassed by the scores of 95-93 and 96-92, which ensured the victory for Cutler.

Jeffers stopped Quartey

Mark Jeffers is on track for large fights in 2025 after defeating Joshua Quartey to defend his silver Commonwealth super middleweight title.

A pair of right hands put Quartey (10-1, 9 KO) on the board, and although he broke the count, a well-placed body shot after the restart by Jeffers (19-0, 6 KO) blew the guy away again.

A crazy attack after the restart forced a stoppage.

Jeffers destroyed Quartey. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Jeffers destroyed Quartey. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Riley secures Chamberlain’s face-off with a stoppage

Viddal Riley finished the heavyweight fight and stopped Dan Garber in the second of the scheduled six rounds.

Riley (12-0, 7 KO) hit Garber (7-4, 2 KO) with his right hand, and then his next attack forced the referee’s intervention.

Riley’s next match will be against Isaac Chamberlain on February 1.

Riley and Chamberlain will fight on February 1. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Riley and Chamberlain will fight on February 1. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Undercard remaining

Mason Cartwright (21-4-1, 8 KO) won all six rounds at super welterweight against Dzmitry Atrokhau (16-25, 7 KO), and Hope lightweight Frankie Stringer (9-0, 1 KO) did the same in the fight against Tatenda Mangombe (3-9-1).

In the flyweight division, Mikie Tallon (6-0) defeated Benn Norman (7-7) with a body shot in the first round of the match, and then settled for a 59-54 victory.

The only fighter to fight four rounds in the super featherweight division was Mason Devine (6-0, 1 KO), who won every session against Jayo Fernando Duran (15-34-1, 14 KO).

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Dillian Whyte explains how Tyson Fury can defeat Oleksandr Usyk

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Usyk put in a sublime performance to beat Fury in May Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Whyte gave Fury's former opponent some advice. Photo: Scott Kirkland/FOX Sports/Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Whyte gave Fury’s former opponent some advice. Photo: Scott Kirkland/FOX Sports/Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Dillian Whyte has revealed his predictions for the hotly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21.

Fury, who knocked out Whyte at Wembley Stadium in 2022, will seek revenge for the only defeat of his career in just 11 days, after losing to Usyk by split decision earlier this year.

Despite losing the night, “The Gypsy King” was a major success and many are struggling to pick a winner in his second battle against the imperious Ukrainian.

Some experts believe Fury needs to be more aggressive and take the lead if he is to win.

I’m talking to Social boxingWhyte revealed he shared that view, asking the Morecambe man to return to the game plan that saw him destroy Deontay Wilder in the return leg.

Usyk puts in a great performance beating Fury in May. Photo: Mikey Williams/top position
Usyk puts in a great performance beating Fury in May. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“It’s a great fight, man, I’m still trying to think – how will this fight go?

“Okay, Fury can make changes, but Usyk can make changes too. It’s a tough fight, a very, very tough fight for both fighters.

“If I were Fury’s coach, I would tell him he has to play aggressively.

“Fight him like you fought Wilder the second time.

“Bring back the aggression, bring back the tyrant!

Whyte was brutally stopped by Fury Photo Credit: Queensberry Promotions
Whyte was brutally stopped by Fury Photo Credit: Queensberry Promotions

“This is heavyweight boxing – you never know.”

It is unclear whether Fury will heed the advice of Whyte and others in the boxing world who have advised him to take the fight to Usyk, but looks noticeably heavier than before the first fight.

Win or lose, the 36-year-old could face a long-awaited home fight against Anthony Joshua, even though “A.J.” interrupted defeat against Daniel Dubois in September.

While it may not have been as great a spectacle as it once was, a clash between Joshua and Fury would still be by far the biggest all-British fight in recent memory.

As for Whyte, he returns to the ring next Sunday night and will face Ghanaian heavyweight Ebenezer Tetteh live on DAZN in Gibraltar.

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Gervonta Davis asks why he should fight Shakur Stevenson

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Davis will face Lamont Roach on March 1st (Photo Credit: Eshter Lin, PBC)

It looks like the Davis vs. Stevenson fight won't happen anytime soon. (Amanda Wescott, Showtime + Mikey Williams, top position)
It looks like the Davis vs. Stevenson fight won’t happen anytime soon. (Amanda Wescott, Showtime + Mikey Williams, top position)

The All-American fight between lightweight world champions Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson is one of the most anticipated fights in all of boxing.

Both Davis and Stevenson are undefeated multi-weight champions and are staples on any respected pound-for-pound list.

With this in mind, you could be forgiven for assuming that the pair locking corners in their prime years is a given, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen in the near future.

“Tank” spoke to the media at the press conference inaugurating his performance March 1 fight with Lamont Roach, and when the prospect of fighting Stevenson arose, he didn’t seem particularly interested.

The Baltimore hitter even went so far as to question what his compatriot did to deserve him.

Davis will face Lamont Roach on March 1 (Photo: Eshter Lin, PBC)
Davis will face Lamont Roach on March 1 (Photo: Eshter Lin, PBC)

“What for? Who has Shakur [beat]? What did Shakur do?

“What has he achieved in sports? He didn’t do anything! Juvenile people look better than him!”

“Keyshawn [Davis] you look so much better than that nigga! Shout it out nigga, he ain’t done nothing!

“Why the hell are you saying his name?”

Like Davis, Stevenson will also return to action in the first quarter of next year, fighting against up-and-comer Floyd Schofield on the February 22 Riyad season card.

Stevenson returns to action on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mikey Williams Top Rank
Stevenson returns to action on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mikey Williams Top Rank

The Newark southpaw has been sidelined since his July decision victory over Artem Harutyunyan after he had to withdraw from a proposed October fight with Joe Cordina due to injury.

Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh has expressed his willingness to have a fight between the two virtuosos, provided both are successful in their upcoming fights.

While he undoubtedly has the talent to rival Davis, Stevenson is not as commercial a star as his rival, and some critics believe he needs to start giving more entertaining performances if he wants to get substantial names.

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