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Talented, promising lightweight prospect John Molina Jr. (18-0, 14 KOs) of Covina, Calif., will make his main event debut when he puts his unblemished record on the line against veteran Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (26-4-1, 14 KOs) of Mexico in a 10-rounder for the vacant NABF lightweight championship in a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, this Saturday, Nov. 28 live on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast.
In the co-feature, undefeated Los Angeles native Rico “Suavecito” Ramos (13-0, 8 KOs) will meet Los Angeles resident and WBC USNBC super bantamweight belt-holder Alejandro “El Alacran” Perez (14-1-1, 9 KOs ) in an eight-round junior bantamweight bout.
The doubleheader two days after Thanksgiving will feature four boxers capable of beating the stuffing out of each other. They have combined for 45 knockouts. The event is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions and will emanate from the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula , Calif.
Molina, who was born and raised in Monterey Park, Calif., is excited about headlining his first nationally televised fight card, and if all goes right for him, the 5-foot-10 1/2 inch 26-year-old doesn’t expect it to last long. Of Molina’s 14 knockouts, six have come in the first round and five in the second.
The lanky Molina’s last five bouts have ended by knockout, including his last outing on Sept. 26 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center when Molina ended his night 34 seconds after it began, flattening former USBA 135-pound titlist Efren Hinojosa with a right hand to the ribs, followed by a left-hand uppercut to the chin.
“I can’t wait for Nov. 28. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas,” said Molina, who is trained by Joe Goossen and turned pro on March 31, 2006. “I know I always say it’s my ‘launching pad,’ but this is really it. This is my coming-out party.
“Everybody knows that I’ve arrived in this weight division and I’m a force to be reckoned with. I’m staying at lightweight. I felt a lot stronger in my last fight, the way I obliterated Hinojosa. I’m a dominating figure in there. I’m going to be stronger than anyone in there. Right now, I feel like I’m on top of my game and it’ll only get better and better from here. I’m more afraid of losing my edge than being lazy.”
A fighter seemingly equipped to derail Molina off the fast track to stardom is the vastly more experienced Honorio, a 5-foot-9 1/2-inch, 29-year-old former USBA champion and world title challenger who has won two straight and is 7-1-1 in his last nine.
Honorio, whose only loss since April 2005 came to ShoBox alum and then-IBF featherweight champion and current IBF 130-pound kingpin, Robert “The Ghost’’ Guerrero, is a 10-year pro who exemplifies the warrior-like spirit fans associate with Mexican fighters.
Honorio’s most noteworthy triumphs include a 12-round decision over Rogers Mtagwa in November 2006, a 10-round decision over current WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano in November 2005 and a first-round knockout over current IBF 135-pound titleholder Cristobal Cruz in August 2002.
Honorio’s experience against so many quality fighters makes him a more battle-hardened opponent than anything Molina has seen.
“He’s very crafty. He beat Steven Luevano, which speaks volumes about his ability,” Molina said of Honorio. “I’ve got to be on my game because the guy can clip me. He’s been around the block. He’s been in there with the best. He’s beaten the best and he’s a credible name. We’re both rangy fighters but, to be honest, I don’t think he’s ever been in there with someone that possesses the power that I do. I think the styles match perfect. But I can’t guarantee how long it’s going to last.”
