04-23-2016, 07:55 PM
Eric Molina targets Anthony Joshua
Interview & photo: Przemek Garczarczyk
“I don’t think Joshua fought somebody who does that AND is a smart fighter. Can he go out and look good, for one, two, three, four rounds? Yeah – we know that. But it doesn’t prove he’s a championship caliber fighter. Lots of fighters can do that. What I want to exploit? His inexperience when not everything goes your way,” said heavyweight contender Eric Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) in a Fightnews.com® interview.
Molina, the IBF Intercontinental titleholder, is staking his claim to be the next in the ring against undefeated new IBF world champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs).
Why should IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua fight Eric Molina?
Eric Molina: Because I’m assuming that he wants to fight men who are in it to win it. A fight is different when you’re in front of the guy who’s in the ring to beat you, not collect a check. And I don’t think he’s faced too many of these guys yet. I also don’t think he was ever hit before by someone with my power. You can talk about me what you want, but I hurt everyone who I’ve faced. I think that all these lights, cameras – all this attention got into Charles Martin’s head. I don’t have a problem with that – I fought Tomek Adamek in front of 14,000 of his fans in Poland, same with facing Deontay Wilder in his home – Alabama. I don’t get rattled, I get the strength of my family and friends.
You’re confident that with your set of skills and heart you’ll be able to take Joshua into unknown territory – late, championship rounds.
You’ve got to take him deep, see how he reacts when challenged. He obviously proved that he comes out strong, throws big punches, but I want to see – and world too – how he reacts when the fight goes past round six. I’m not saying that he’ll crumble or not crumble – only that it’s yet to be seen.
Watching Anthony Joshua – what would you like to exploit?
First of all – I’m a fighter who gets better with every round. I don’t think Joshua fought somebody who does that AND is a smart fighter. Can he go out and look good, for one, two, three, four rounds? Yeah – we know that. But it doesn’t prove he’s a championship caliber fighter. Lots of fighters can do that. What I want to exploit? His inexperience when not everything goes your way.
Dramatic win – five points behind on the scorecards, last second of a ten round knockout against Adamek in Krakow. Adamek and Joshua are completely different fighters, but you again learned a lot.
More confidence, more proof that I’m getting better. Fans should never forget that my pro 28 fights are all what I have in boxing. I had no amateur career, learning and getting better on the job. Another proof that I can have my best fights on the road, in front of hostile crowds. To fight on the road is as much about mental as physical strength and experience. I have both. I’ve proved that already.
Interview & photo: Przemek Garczarczyk
“I don’t think Joshua fought somebody who does that AND is a smart fighter. Can he go out and look good, for one, two, three, four rounds? Yeah – we know that. But it doesn’t prove he’s a championship caliber fighter. Lots of fighters can do that. What I want to exploit? His inexperience when not everything goes your way,” said heavyweight contender Eric Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) in a Fightnews.com® interview.
Molina, the IBF Intercontinental titleholder, is staking his claim to be the next in the ring against undefeated new IBF world champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs).
Why should IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua fight Eric Molina?
Eric Molina: Because I’m assuming that he wants to fight men who are in it to win it. A fight is different when you’re in front of the guy who’s in the ring to beat you, not collect a check. And I don’t think he’s faced too many of these guys yet. I also don’t think he was ever hit before by someone with my power. You can talk about me what you want, but I hurt everyone who I’ve faced. I think that all these lights, cameras – all this attention got into Charles Martin’s head. I don’t have a problem with that – I fought Tomek Adamek in front of 14,000 of his fans in Poland, same with facing Deontay Wilder in his home – Alabama. I don’t get rattled, I get the strength of my family and friends.
You’re confident that with your set of skills and heart you’ll be able to take Joshua into unknown territory – late, championship rounds.
You’ve got to take him deep, see how he reacts when challenged. He obviously proved that he comes out strong, throws big punches, but I want to see – and world too – how he reacts when the fight goes past round six. I’m not saying that he’ll crumble or not crumble – only that it’s yet to be seen.
Watching Anthony Joshua – what would you like to exploit?
First of all – I’m a fighter who gets better with every round. I don’t think Joshua fought somebody who does that AND is a smart fighter. Can he go out and look good, for one, two, three, four rounds? Yeah – we know that. But it doesn’t prove he’s a championship caliber fighter. Lots of fighters can do that. What I want to exploit? His inexperience when not everything goes your way.
Dramatic win – five points behind on the scorecards, last second of a ten round knockout against Adamek in Krakow. Adamek and Joshua are completely different fighters, but you again learned a lot.
More confidence, more proof that I’m getting better. Fans should never forget that my pro 28 fights are all what I have in boxing. I had no amateur career, learning and getting better on the job. Another proof that I can have my best fights on the road, in front of hostile crowds. To fight on the road is as much about mental as physical strength and experience. I have both. I’ve proved that already.