Introduction
John Molina Jr. (born December 28, 1982) is a retired American professional boxer who is a two-time world title challenger -- first for the WBC lightweight title in 2012 and then for the WBC and WBO super lightweight title in 2016.
Professional career
On April 24, 2010 in the HBO undercard of Chris Arreola vs Tomasz Adamek, Molina beat veteran Jose Antonio Izquierdo by second round K.O.
He fought against undefeated Henry Lundy on ESPN's Friday Night Fights for the WBO NABO Lightweight Championship. During the fight with Lundy, Molina would pressure him and would knockout the Philadelphia fighter in the eleventh round.
In May 2011, John stopped the tough veteran Alejandro Rodríguez to win the vacant WBC USNBC Lightweight Championship with his next fight was a T.K.O. victory on ESPN against Robert Frankel.
After knocking out Dannie Williams in another Friday Night Fights appearance in January 2013, Molina would lose to an undefeated Andrey Klimov by majority decision in June 2013.
After the Klimov loss, Molina fought unbeaten Cleveland lightweight Mickey Bey on the main event of a Mayweather Promotions card broadcast on ShoBox from Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, July 19, 2013. Bey controlled most of the bout up until the 10th and final round, in which Molina hurt Bey with a left hook, and then continued to pound him with hard shots until referee Vic Drakulich stepped in to call a halt to the bout at 2:01 of the 10th round. This round is to be considered by many round of the year for 2013.
Molina was defeated by Adrien Broner via unanimous decision in the first episode ofthe Premier Boxing Champions series of fights on NBC.
First world title shot
On September 8, 2012, John Molina Jr. got his first world title shot, in a bout against Mexican Antonio DeMarco for the WBC lightweight title. Immediately, Molina was tagged and hurt by a straight left hand from DeMarco, the first shot DeMarco landed. Molina covered up in his corner as DeMarco pelted him until Referee Jack Reiss called a halt to the bout. The end came before 44 seconds had passed in the first round, handing Molina his second career loss. The stoppage would not come without protest where Molina Jr was sitting on the ropes during this time and was expecting to get a standing eight count.
Professional boxing record
| 39 fights | 30 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 24 | 4 |
| By decision | 6 | 5 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | Loss | 30–9 | Josesito López | TKO | 8 (12), 0:39 | Sep 28, 2019 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 38 | Loss | 30–8 | Omar Figueroa Jr. | UD | 10 | Feb 16, 2019 | Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 30–7 | Ivan Redkach | KO | 4 (10), 1:27 | Dec 15, 2017 | Pioneer Event Center, Lancaster, California, U.S. | |
| 36 | Loss | 29–7 | Terence Crawford | TKO | 8 (12), 2:32 | Dec 10, 2016 | CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | For WBC, WBO, The Ring, and lineal light welterweight titles |
| 35 | Win | 29–6 | Ruslan Provodnikov | UD | 12 | Jun 11, 2016 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. | Won vacant WBO International light welterweight title |
| 34 | Win | 28–6 | Jorge Romero | TKO | 3 (10), 0:47 | Nov 28, 2015 | The Bomb Factory, Dallas, Texas, U.S. | |
| 33 | Loss | 27–6 | Adrien Broner | UD | 12 | Mar 7, 2015 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 32 | Loss | 27–5 | Humberto Soto | UD | 10 | Sep 13, 2014 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 31 | Loss | 27–4 | Lucas Matthysse | KO | 11 (12), 0:22 | Apr 26, 2014 | StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. | For vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title |
| 30 | Win | 27–3 | Jorge Pimentel | KO | 2 (8), 2:59 | Nov 16, 2013 | Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 26–3 | Mickey Bey | TKO | 10 (10), 2:01 | Jul 19, 2013 | The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 28 | Loss | 25–3 | Andrey Klimov | MD | 10 | Jun 7, 2013 | Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 25–2 | Dannie Williams | KO | 4 (10), 2:16 | Jan 11, 2013 | Pueblo Pavilion at the Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S. | |
| 26 | Loss | 24–2 | Antonio DeMarco | TKO | 1 (12), 0:44 | Sep 8, 2012 | Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, U.S. | For WBC lightweight title |
| 25 | Win | 24–1 | Miguel Angel Munguia | UD | 8 | Jun 23, 2012 | Sportsmen's Lodge, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 23–1 | Robert Frankel | TKO | 5 (10), 3:00 | Jun 24, 2011 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 22–1 | José Alejandro Rodríguez | TKO | 3 (10), 1:45 | May 28, 2011 | BlueWater Resort & Casino, Parker, Arizona, U.S. | Won vacant WBC–USNBC lightweight title |
| 22 | Win | 21–1 | Hank Lundy | TKO | 11 (12), 2:18 | Jul 9, 2010 | Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S. | Won WBO–NABO lightweight title |
| 21 | Win | 20–1 | Jose Antonio Izquierdo | KO | 2 (8), 2:55 | Apr 24, 2010 | Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 19–1 | Ricardo Medina | KO | 1 (8), 1:40 | Mar 5, 2010 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. | |
| 19 | Loss | 18–1 | Martin Honorio | UD | 10 | Nov 28, 2009 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. | For vacant WBO–NABO and NABF lightweight titles |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Efren Hinojosa | KO | 1 (8), 0:34 | Sep 26, 2009 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Frankie Archuleta | TKO | 2 (8), 2:06 | May 16, 2009 | Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Carlos Vinan | TKO | 2 (8), 2:40 | Mar 27, 2009 | Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Joshua Allotey | KO | 3 (8), 1:28 | Feb 6, 2009 | Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Fernando Omar Lizarraga | RTD | 5 (8), 3:00 | Nov 20, 2008 | San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, Highland, California, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Eddie Brooks | UD | 6 | Sep 5, 2008 | Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Luis Alfredo Lugo | TKO | 4 (6), 2:15 | May 23, 2008 | Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Carlos Madrid | UD | 6 | Mar 28, 2008 | Industry Hills Expo Center, City of Industry, California, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Baladan Trevizo | TKO | 2 (6) | Feb 15, 2008 | Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Eddie Brooks | KO | 2 (6), 2:17 | Dec 28, 2007 | Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Ron Boyd | TKO | 1 (6), 2:28 | Aug 18, 2007 | Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Marcus Brashears | UD | 6 | Jun 22, 2007 | Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Rudy Paz | TKO | 1 (4), 1:59 | Jan 27, 2007 | Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Odilon Rivera | TKO | 1 (4), 2:11 | Nov 16, 2006 | The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Julio Chavez | UD | 4 | Sep 14, 2006 | The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Ramiro Torres | KO | 1 (4), 1:47 | Jul 14, 2006 | Charro Ranch, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Ignacio Flores | KO | 1 (4), 0:38 | May 5, 2006 | Activities Center, Maywood, California, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Lester Balmores | KO | 2 (4), 1:35 | Mar 31, 2006 | Activities Center, Maywood, California, U.S. |