IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua weighed in at 249 pounds and American challenger Eric Molina measured 237 ½ pounds for their heavyweight showdown tomorrow/Saturday at Manchester Arena live on SHOWTIME® (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT).
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation originates from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, site of that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast. WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi as part of the SHOWTIME announce team for Joshua vs. Molina.
Undefeated sensation and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) will make the second defense of his title against Molina (25-3 19 KOs), a Texas native getting his second shot at a belt in his quest to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.
An encore presentation of Joshua vs. Molina will air as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast later that evening, following the main event showdown between WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar and three-division former champ Abner Mares. In the co-feature, Jermall Charlo will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Julian Williams.
Odds: Joshua 1/12 to KO Molina, 9/1 Either Whyte or Chisora to be Disqualified
William Hill, the title sponsors of Joshua v Molina, have installed AJ as their 1/33 favourite to win his IBF world heavyweight title defence against the Drummer Boy (12/1).
Joshua, Olympic Gold medalist at London 2012, has lit up the boxing world since turning pro. He’s blasted his way through all of his opponents – racking up a perfect record of 17-0 with all of his wins coming by KO.
Unsurprisingly, William Hill offer short odds (1/12) on a Joshua victory by KO. The round betting looks a more interesting proposition. He’s just 9/2 to win in round 1… However punters seem to believe AJ will during rounds 3 (9/2), 4 (7/1) or 5 (9/1).
Molina is available at 14/1 to win by KO and 50/1 to win on points.
The chief support fight is the grudge match between Dillian Whyte and Derick Chisora. The bookies make Whyte the 2/7 favourite, with Chisora available at 11/4.
One of the most popular bets of the weekend is for the either Whyte or Chisora to be disqualified during the fight. The bookies cut the odds from 10/1 to 9/1 on a DQ for either fighter after a fractious build-up to the heavyweight showdown.
Elsewhere, Kal Yafai is the 1/2 favourite to beat the defending WBA super flyweight champion Luis Concepcion.(7/4)
Another Luis in action is ‘King Kong’ Ortiz. The undefeated Cuban is rated a 1/100 chance to beat ‘The White Rhino’ Dave Allen (16/1).
Calum Smith is 1/100 to beat Luke Blackledge, while Conor Benn is the same price (1/100) to continue his unblemished pro-career with a win over Steven Backhouse (16/1)
Multiple world champion Katie Taylor, who made a stunning pro-debut last month, is 1/100 to beat Viviane Obenauf (16/1).
“Joshua against Molina tops the bill at the Manchester Arena – but the fight everyone is talking about is Whyte/Chisora, said William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny, “The volatile nature of their previous interactions suggest anything could happen – including a DQ.”
Latest odds from the sponsors
1/100 Conor Benn, 33/1 Draw, 16/1 Steven Blackhouse
1/100 Luis Ortiz, 33/1 Draw, 16/1 Dave Allen
1/2 Kal Yafai, 25/1 Draw,7/4 Luis Concepcion
2/7 Dillian Whyte. 28/1 Draw, 11/4 Dereck Chisora,
1/100 Katie Taylor, 33/1 Draw, 16/1 Viviane Obenauf
1/33 Anthony Joshua, 33/1 Draw, 12/1 Eric Molina
1/100 Calum Smith, 33/1 Draw, 16/1 Luke Blackledge
1/33 Scott Quigg, 28/1 Draw, 10/1 Jose Cayetano
3/10 Hosea Burton, 25/1 Draw, 5/2 Frank Buglioni
Selected specials
1/12 Joshua to win by KO
15/8 Joshua to win in round 3-4
5/4 Either Whyte or Chisora to be deducted a point during their fight
9/1 Either Whyte or Chisora to be disqualified
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IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua and American challenger Eric Molina met for their final press conference on Thursday in Manchester, England, as they prepare to square off this Saturday at Manchester Arena live on SHOWTIME® (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT).
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation originates from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, site of that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast. WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi as part of the SHOWTIME announce team for Joshua vs. Molina.
“It’s not so much about who I’m fighting, it’s about myself,” Joshua told the British press. “I’m not really worried about what Eric’s camp is doing. God willing I go out there to do my job. I’m just really worried about myself. I’ll make Eric look like a novice.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGl4A9OFw-A
Molina said he wants to duplicate the feat of his long-time mentor Oliver McCall, who in 1994 upset Lennox Lewis for the WBC Heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium in London. “I always envision myself having that moment that he had here in England,” Molina said. “He had that big win and it just shows the world that in this heavyweight division anything is possible.”
Added Molina: “If you slip-up one second you’ll be dancing and the world will be talking.”
Undefeated sensation and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) will make the second defense of his title against Molina (25-3 19 KOs), a Texas native getting his second shot at a belt in his quest to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.
An encore presentation of Joshua vs. Molina will air as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast later that evening, following the main event showdown between WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar and three-division former champ Abner Mares. In the co-feature, Jermall Charlo will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Julian Williams.
