Connect with us

Articles of 2008

John Molina Beats Brooks Again

Published

on

MONTEBELLO, CA.-Like a crime from the past John Molina and Eddie Brooks tried to recreate the scene but found the intangibles had changed as the California lightweight won by decision this time over the jitter bugging Arizona boxer on Friday.

No knock out occurred on Friday at the Quiet Cannon as Molina took a unanimous decision over Brooks,  who was more concerned about surviving than engaging in a slugfest like in their previous encounter.

“I’ve discovered recently that there are two kinds of fights: one where a fighter is trying not to get hit like a sparring match, or another where the other fighter wants to engage,” said Molina (13-0, 9 KOs). “He fought real squirrelly in this fight, he didn’t want to engage.”

Their first fight saw both fighters floored in a frisky lightweight match at the same venue and perhaps among the same frisky crowd, but in this encounter the hot summer night could only produce a chase scene where Molina looked a little disappointed that he could not provide fireworks with Brooks mimicking Usain Bolt.

From the first bell Brooks (7-2) moved in herky-jerky fashion, never letting Molina get a bead on his head. A few times he stopped and fired quick combinations to the body that landed flush. Then Molina responded with a couple of power combos that sounded like sonic booms from a Sabre Jet.

Buoyed by his corner man and trainer, Brooks leaped out of his stool in the second round with a steely-eyed look and more pronounced boxing stance as if daring Molina to enter his realm. And when the taller California lightweight entered the killing zone he was met with quick combos including some pops to the body throughout the second round.

It was Brooks' best round and looked to be the beginning of a turning of the tide. It was fools gold.

The third round saw Molina slip into another gear and fire his own body blows, mixed with rights and lefts to the head that found the target and echoed in the large hall in the Montebello golf course facility.

Molina’s supporters let out a roar of approval as their fighter began firing salvos on Brooks head and body. A left hook-right hand landed solidly and seemed to convince Brooks that standing in the fire zone was not a good idea.

In the fourth round Molina reenacted the third round with big walloping blows that mostly caught Brook’s gloves but the few that snuck in between the guard forced the Arizona fighter to seek sanctuary in another section of the ring.

With his trainer screaming instructions in his ear, urging him to engage in a firefight, Brooks entered the fifth round with other things in mind. Instead of trading blows in Antonio Margarito fashion, he decided to hit and run like Floyd Mayweather. He was doing a fairly good job in landing more blows than Molina, but with a few seconds left in the round, a long right hand found its mark on Brooks' head. Another round lost to mean Molina who repeatedly urged Brooks to engage.

The sixth and final round saw Brooks attempt to out-maneuver Molina into a mistake, but when the big right hand of Molina landed, the braveness evaporated from the Arizona fighter’s inner warrior spirit,  thus allowing Molina to charge and keep charging. Neither fighter was hurt much in the last round but it was Brooks moving backwards that lost him the round.

All three judges scored it for Molina at 60-54, and 59-55 twice for the pro boxer from West Covina.

“It was a great learning experience,” said Molina, not looking any worse than he entered the fight. “We can do better.”

Ben Lira, the sage boxing trainer who has prepared Molina for all of his pro bouts, wants his fighter to enter the boxing ring at least two more times before the year 2008 has ended.

“He did some things well and other things he could do better,” said Lira who trains boxers at South El Monte Boxing Club. “His timing between punches is getting better.”

Other bouts

La Puente’s Abraham Lopez (4-0, 3 KOs) sprinted out of his corner in the first round against Las Vegas featherweight Omar Valencia (0-3) and rained blows from all angles in rapid fashion to force retreat. The Nevada boxer covered up but a couple of bolo punches and a left hook pierced Valencia’s guard and down he went for the count in 48 seconds. He was counted out by referee Raul Caiz Jr.

Debuting welterweights Ricky Duenas and Isauro Tapia discovered how tough a pro bout can be when they engaged. Both ended up absorbing a ton of blows in their four round contest. In the end it was Tapia who won the fight with a second round knock down coming from an overhand right hand. It proved the difference in the match as the judges scored it 39-36, 38-37 twice for Tapia. Both fighters are probably wondering if all their matches are going to be this tough.

San Francisco’s Alex Paracha scored a first round knockout over Bakersfield’s Linnie Johnson at 2:58 of the opening stanza of their welterweight fight. A solid left hook did the job over the smaller Johnson. He was counted out by referee Caiz Jr. It was the first pro bout for both boxers.

Nigeria’s Lateef Kayode (2-0) landed a perfect left hook to the body of Riverside heavyweight Mike Finney (1-2) at 58 seconds of the second round. Up until that moment, Finney’s crab defense was proving perplexing to Kayode. But when the arms went too high, the left hand found its mark. Finney could not get up as he knelt on one knee shaking his head. Referee Jerry Cantu counted him out.

Lots of boxing celebrities attended the All Star Boxing fight card, including Liz Quevedo the five-time U.S. National champion who fights on Sept. 27 in San Diego, Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis, Kingsley Ikeke and others.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles5 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles13 hours ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles13 hours ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles5 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending