Chicago’s “King” Carlos Molina and his team are sending out a challenge to the rest of the world’s best junior middleweights.
Molina (19-4-2, 6 KOs) established himself as an elite fighter with a near shutout unanimous decision over former world champion Kermit Cintron last Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, and live on the SHOWTIME network.
“It’s no longer a secret that Carlos Molina is the world’s best 154-lb fighter,” said Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. “This is an open call to all the champions, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, Austin Trout, K9 Bundradge and Sergei Dzinziruk: Carlos Molina is ready and able to take any of you on.”
In the comeback story of the year, Molina has gone from sitting on the shelf for two years to the breakout fighter of 2011 in the span of four months.
He returned for the first time since 2009 in March at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and fought to a controversial majority draw against Cuban sensation Erislandy Lara (most observers had Molina winning). He returned there on short notice a month later to take out hard-punching Allen Conyers via TKO 7. Then came Saturday’s dominance over Cintron.
“If you think about it,” stated Luis DeCubas, his advisor, “Lara beat Paul Williams and Cintron beat Alfredo Angulo and Carlos beat both of them, so he could be considered the top challenger in the world. We hope the sanctioning bodies will recognize his amazing accomplishments and move him into a position where he can fight for a world championship.”
Margules says that when Molina finally does challenge for a title, it will be the end of an era.
“Once he’s a champion, he’ll finally stop being considered the underdog in every fight. That might take him some getting used to.”
Serrano-Sostre on Rodriguez-Wolak undercard on Friday
This Friday, July 15th, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing presents the much anticipated jr. middleweight showdown between Delvin Rodriguez (25-5-2, 14KO’s) and Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak (29-1, 19KO’s) at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC. The show which will also feature undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight Raymond “Tito” Serrano (15-0, 8KO’s) taking on Daniel “The Hudson Valley Kid” Sostre (11-3-1, 4KO’s) in the co-feature, will be broadcast live on ESPN’s ever popular “Friday Night Fights” series.
Scheduled to see action on the undercard in an intriguing match-up light heavyweight prospects as Lionell Thompson (7-0, 5KO’s) looks to stay perfect when he takes on fellow unbeaten, Reggie LaCrete (4-0-2, 3KO’s) in a six round light heavyweight showdown where someone’s 0 must go.
Two familiar names to the boxing world will also see action on the card in separate bouts, as jr. middleweights, Kevin “Kid” Rooney (1-0) takes on Elmer Vera (0-1) and Steven Gamache (1-0, 1KO) squares off against Rogelio Sanchez (0-3). Both fights are scheduled for four rounds.
Rooney, the son of world renowned trainer, Kevin Rooney, will once again be putting in double duty on July 15th, just like he did when he made his pro-debut on a Star Boxing promoted card in April. When’s he not fighting, Rooney works full-time as the Publicist for the promotional outfit. Gamache on the other hand is the son of former Super Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion, Joey Gamache. Both will be looking to improve to 2-0 before their hometown fans.
Scheduled to open up the show will be three separate amateur bouts featuring some of NYC’s top up and coming prospects.
Tickets are priced at $50, $75, $100 and $200 and can be purchased by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000, or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or simply by Clicking Here. Doors open at 6:30PM, with the first bout scheduled for 7:00PM. ESPN will begin live coverage at 9PM ET.
Tyner vs. Harris on July 15th
Chicago, Illinois (July 12 2011) – The Main Event on July 15th 2011 is none other than welterweight title contender Lanardo “The Pain Server” Tyner (24-4 15KO’s) will be facing former WBA light welterweight champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris (29-6 19KO’s) for the USBO welterweight championship.
Tyner born and raised in Detroit, Michigan is looking for bigger fights after this scheduled bout with Harris. Tyner now managed by Wasfi Tolaymat and trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr knows that a victory against Vivian Harris can launch him into bigger paydays.
“I am happy to be back into Chicago, I love the fans of the Windy City. Chicago is a city with die hard sports fans and I am honored for them to welcome me in as an adopted son of the city” said Tyner.
Tyner who was last seen in Chicago on March 25th 2011 fighting fast rising prospect Adrian Granados to a draw is looking to showcase what he calls “The New and Improved” Lanardo Tyner. “I have been training hard, away from my family for two months I am ready to leave everything in the ring on July 15th.
The fight is a must win for Harris who was born in Georgetown, Guyana and now resides in Brooklyn, New York. Harris who recently been on the downside is looking to bounce back after his recent loss to current WBC welterweight champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz. Harris knows a loss against Tyner can be more than just a minor set back; it can also mark an end to a great career.
The media is looking closely at this fight for a number of reasons as well; winner goes on to earn an IBO world title shot. Jason Ford of fight news was quoted earlier this week predicting this match to be the “Fight Of The Night”.
The Co-Main event will feature current World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan African & ABU light welterweight champion “Tornado” Albert Mensah (23-3-1 10KO’s) facing Canadian star “Gorgeous” Andre Gorges (11-1 6KO’s) for the vacant IBF International Light Welterweight championship.
The Undercard will feature the return of Chicago favorites such as “Fearless” Fernando Hernandez, Antonio “Aztec God Of War” Canas, Eric “Loco” Estrada, Adrian Granados, Sergio Montes De Oca, Donatas Bondoravas and MMA title contender Boban Simic who will be making his long awaited pro boxing debut.
Tickets for CHICAGO FIGHT NIGHT II, starting at $30 can be purchased in advance at Shop & Save, Cermak Produce, or Chicago Fight Club (http://www.chicagofightclubs.com) 708-333-3303 and Will County Boxing Gym (http://www.willcountyboxing.com) 815-661-0247.
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The Club is located at 7600 S. Cicero Ave. Burbank, IL. For further information, please visit their website at (http://www.theclubchicago.com). The Club is serving alcohol at all boxing events.