Jose Pedraza and Javier Molina have both bounced back recently from difficult times to reestablish themselves as players in the junior welterweight division.
That’s what makes their fight Saturday inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas so important: One will take another step in the rebuilding process; the other might have to start over once again.
Pedraza (27-3, 13 KOs) lost to Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jose Zepeda in 2018 and last year, raising questions about his future as an elite fighter.
However, the Puerto Rican rebounded to dominate Mikael LesPierre en route to a near-shutout decision in July, looking much like the two-division titleholder he had been. Now he’s thinking about the prospect of winning a world title in a third division, although neither he nor Molina is ranked.
“I have my sights set on a world championship at 140,” he said. “My goal is to join the select club of three-division world champions from Puerto Rico. That’s why this fight against Molina is so important.
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“I know that a big win on Saturday will put me a step closer to that opportunity of challenging for a world title in the junior welterweight division. It’s a must-win for me.”
Molina (22-2, 9 KOs) has similar goals, which is remarkable given his disappointing career.
The 2008 U.S. Olympian turned pro with considerable fan fare but never quite lived up to the hype. He left boxing for 2½ years after a unanimous-decision loss to Jamal James in January 2016. Some people – including Molina – wondered whether he was finished.
Instead, the product of the Los Angeles area came back, rededicated himself and has had nothing but success. He has all five of his fights in his comeback, including a unanimous decision over former titleholder Amir Imam in February.
Could Molina finally realize his potential at 30?
“I’m cool with being the underdog,” he said. “There is a reason I’m seen that way, and it’s because I haven’t shown my full potential. Fans haven’t seen all I can do in the ring. Like I said, I’m alright with being the underdog. I’m going to surprise a lot of people on Saturday.
“There were some tough times where I thought about not fighting anymore, but I have so much to give in the sport. That’s why I decided to turn my career around. I have dedicated myself to the sport, and that’s why I’m this position right now.
“By beating Pedraza, I put myself in a good position to challenge for a world title. I know that a victory against a great name like Pedraza will bring me closer to that opportunity to become a champion.”
Pedraza is well aware of Molina’s capabilities.
“I know that I’m very close to a world title opportunity, but my total focus is on the fight I have in front of me,” he said. “I know Molina is a good fighter. I have never overlooked him. I have prepared with that in mind and that’s why I have trained very hard for this fight. …
“He says he’s “El Intocable'”(The Untouchable), but I’m the ‘Sniper’ and I come with great precision to erase the nickname “El Intocable” that Javier Molina has. This will be another chapter in the historic rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico. It will be a great fight.
“From my end, I have never overlooked him. He is a great fighter. With that in mind, I have prepared myself for a tough opponent. I know he believes he’s the underdog, but I know he’s a great fighter.”
Meanwhile, Molina couldn’t be more confident, at least publicly.
“We have answers for anything he brings,” he said. “I can adapt to whatever he does the ring. If he wants to brawl, we’re going to brawl, and if I have to box and move around, that’s what I will do to win the fight.
“Pedraza looked good against LesPierre, but I’m not LesPierre. He is flatfooted and I’m not. We have been studying all his recent fights and my game plan is similar to what Lomachenko and Zepeda did against him. If they think I’m going to be outgunned this Saturday, they are in for a big surprise.”
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