Monday 21 November 2016 16:36, UK
Eric Molina will be the underdog when he challenges for Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight championship on December 10. But, as Sky Sports found out, that’s merely a way of life for the American…
Didn't he fight Deontay Wilder?
Yes, Molina emerged with great credit despite losing to the WBC champion last year. That fight tells us a lot about what Molina will bring to the table against Joshua...
How so? What's he got that we haven't seen before?
A left hook from Molina had Wilder on wobbly legs in the third round - looking back, it's still shocking to see the unbeaten world champion so close to defeat. Molina also got up from three knock-downs before losing via a ninth round stoppage, so it will be interesting to see how Joshua deals with such a tough nut to crack.
What's Molina's best win?
In his most recent fight he stopped Tomasz Adamek in Poland. Molina was, as usual, the underdog, but earned a career-best result in his sole fight outside the United States. It proved he could beat a fighter in their own backyard…
What's Molina got to say for himself?
"I can definitely say one thing, I will hit AJ harder than he's ever been hit.
I'll have to attack, if I have him hurt. I'm going for the kill.
"That's going to happen on December 10. I will hit him harder than he's ever been hit and if he dances, and I can get him hurt, I will not sit back like I sat back with Wilder.
"I'll have to attack, if I have him hurt. I'm going for the kill."
Has Molina ever had a really bad day at the office?
A couple, although both acted as the springboards for his rise towards his upcoming opportunity against Joshua. Molina lasted less than two minutes before a knockout loss on his pro debut in 2007 then, with 18 wins under his belt, he was flattened inside a round by Chris Arreola in 2012. Ouch.
Sounds like he could have given up on boxing altogether…
Actually, he almost did. After losing to Arreola four years ago Molina became a full-time teacher. This is a smart chap we're talking about. He pursued a master's degree in special education and got a job teaching disabled children at a public school in Texas, his home state.
"I love teaching kids with disabilities because they're underdogs in their lives," Molina told San Antonio Express News last year. "I'm the underdog in what I do."
Wow, impressive. So why did he return to the ring?
The loss to Arreola never sat well with Molina and, a year into his job as a teacher, he was given three weeks' notice by promoter Don King to have another fight. He trained twice a day, before and after school, not least to end his students' teasing about his former profession.
Sounds like a movie!
Sure enough, Mr. Molina (or do we call him 'sir'?) outpointed Tony Grano over six rounds for a successful comeback. That was three-and-a-half years ago and he's never looked back.
Any mutual opponents with Joshua?
Remember Raphael Zumbano Love? A rare boxer from Brazil. Joshua sent him flying with an overhand right in Birmingham in May 2015, five months after Molina also knocked him out.
I've got time for one more interesting fact…
Molina is nicknamed 'Drummer Boy' - as a boy he collected bicentennial coins which commemorated the 200th anniversary of the United States' independence. His favourite coin featured a drummer boy, and it's been a lucky charm ever since.
Watch Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina plus Dillian Whyte v Dereck Chisora on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
