Photos provided by Frankie Espinoza Jr.
A great majority of boxers say they come from a boxing family. When lightweight Carlos Molina says it, he means it. Not only is Molina considered one of the best up and coming prospects in the west coast because of an extraordinary amateur record of 105 wins against only 20 losses on his way to capturing a myriad of amateur titles such as a PAL title and a junior golden gloves championship in 2005 and a California State title and a bronze in the Nationals in 2006 but his twin set of younger brothers are Olympians. Javier combated for the U.S. while Oscar was one win away from participating for Mexico in 2008.
“He lost to the Cuban or else he would of gone to China too,” Molina states rather sympathetically.
Carlos Molina of Commerce, CA, began boxing at the age of ten when his father took him down to the local boxing club.
“I started doing this when I was 10 years old. My dad took me down to the gym and I just haven’t stopped. My dad boxed when he was young,” Molina states proudly of his father. “He has mentioned that they fought without head gear and that he got paid in two fights so yeah, I guess you can say he was a professional for at least two fights.”
“I love that it is a one on one sport and you can hit somebody and not get in trouble. You also learn how to defend yourself. Ever since I can remember, I have loved boxing, practicing it and watching it.”
As of a year ago Molina trains out of the Maywood Boxing Club under the watchful eye of Clemente Medina who among others also trains hot super welterweight prospect Alfredo “Perro” Angulo. It’s a change that Molina embraces whole-heartedly.
“Medina is well experienced and we work really well together.”
A sentiment that is seconded by well renowned manager Frank Espinoza who along his son Frankie steer Molina’s career.
“I am very confident in Medina. After Carlos made the adjustment and he went with Medina, Carlos learned a lot of things he needed to learn. Medina is very familiar with the pro style and I think they make a good combination,” Espinoza states.
Along with following the tools of the trade from Medina, Carlos learns about work ethic from the up and coming Angulo.
“‘Perro’ talks to me all the time and gives me advice. I look up to him, he always works hard and has worked hard for everything that he has and that motivates me to work hard.”
The 20-year-old father of two boys aged 4 and 2 has been with the 2007 Manager of the year Espinoza since before turning professional. It was a chance meeting that made the experienced manager ask Molina to join the Espinoza Boxing Club.
“Frank saw me spar and in a couple of weeks made me an offer, he jumped on me quick…,” Molina says as he tries to contain a chuckle. “I was very happy, I had a smile on my face for weeks.”
Espinoza continues the story.
“If I am not mistaken he was sparring ‘John’ John Molina and I quickly saw all the makings of a world champion. Although he was an amateur still back then, he didn’t have an amateur style, you know, moving and on his toes but a pro style. He would sit on his punches and go to the body.”
The fact that Espinoza knows a world champion when he sees one is not lost on Molina since Espinoza has been at the wheel for the title runs of former super flyweight champion Martin Castillo and WBC emeritus super bantamweight champ Israel Vazquez among others.
“I have a very supportive family and they tell me that I am going to make it and friends do too but to have somebody like Frank tell you, who has had champions and has been the manager of the year, then it makes you work even harder.”
Molina began his career in May 2007 when he unanimously defeated Mario Juarez in four rounds in a bout that taught him a lesson.
”I remember being really nervous because I was trying to knock the guy out, I was trying to knock his head off,” the affable Molina says. “Overall I think I did pretty good but later on a lot of people told me that I needed to relax in there and I agree, I was trying to do to much. The guy that I fought was pretty good though and he could take a punch.”
On Thursday, May 21st, Molina will be in the co-feature bout of “Havoc at the Hard Rock”, the inaugural fight card presented by Rogue Boxing Promotions being held at the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
“It makes me feel good to be featured on the card. I saw it on the Internet and I noticed that I was the co-featured bout so that makes me happy since I am trying to build up my career. This will be the second time I fight in San Diego and the people were good to me last time.”
Frank Espinoza is glad to be returning to San Diego where along with Molina, he has recently also featured Ronny Rios in “America’s Finest City.”
“The fans in San Diego are very supportive and they know good boxing. They are great fans and we are proud to be fighting in San Diego.”
“Carlos Molina is just the type of prospect that we would like to feature here in San Diego,” Derek Pierce, President of Rogue Boxing states. “We would like the fight fans in San Diego to see possible future champions early on in their careers. The fact that it allows us to work with world renowned Frank Espinoza is a plus.”
Molina will be facing the very experienced Anthony Martinez of Nicaragua in a scheduled six round bout. Martinez holds a record of 21-29-3, 9KO, which gives him a total of 54 professional bouts. This presents a stern test for Molina who with only six on his pro ledger has a lot of catching up to do.
“I haven’t seen him fight but I know that he has a lot of experience, he has fought Ponce De Leon and Miguel Cotto’s brother among others,” Molina states choosing his words carefully. “I think his experience is going to help him out in a way but I am confident that I will be able to adjust and show my experience too. I just need to watch out because of his experience he might have a lot of mañas (tricks) and I have to be careful of that.”
“We have big things planned for Molina with the first being this fight with Anthony Martinez, a very experienced fighter. I feel that this is a good test for him at this point in his career,” Espinoza states. “He’s had a couple of set backs such as some hand injuries that have set him back but we are expecting a good 2009 and keeping him busy is part of that.”
After not stepping into a ring to show his wares in nearly five months, Molina is ready to match the weather and shine in San Diego.
“Fight fans can expect me to be a very active fighter this year. When you see me in the ring you can expect me to be well prepared for my fight and you are going to see speed, power and movement.”
For more info on “Havoc at the Hard Rock”, please visit www.RogueBoxing.com
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