Eric Molina has confidently predicted that he will become the first man to defeat fast-rising Croatian Heavyweight contender Alen Babic when they collide in a scheduled eight-round contest on the undercard of Chantelle Cameron vs. Mary McGee at The O2 in London this Saturday October 30, live worldwide on DAZN. 

‘Drummer Boy’ (28-7, 20 KOs) gave Fabio Wardley the toughest test of his career at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar earlier this year and heads into his clash with Babic on the back of a third-round knockout win over Alejandro de la Torre in August. 

The two-time World Title challenger from Texas, USA has shared the ring with a who’s who in the Heavyweight division, including losses to Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, and insists that he isn’t intimidated in the slightest by ‘The Savage’s’ threats and warnings. 

“It’s really not easy to travel as far as we do at short notice, but I firmly believe that I have what it takes to knock this guy out on Saturday,” said Molina. “I look at him as a reckless fighter. I look at him as somebody that has no respect for the Heavyweight division. This Heavyweight division has a very brutal way of humbling fighters at different times. 

“It’s a tough lesson that a lot of fighters have to learn. I’ve learnt it, Anthony Joshua has learnt it, Deontay Wilder has learnt it, the best of the best have learnt it. Babic is going to have to learn that one day to respect this division. 

“He could throw 100 punches in one round. He’s going to need to throw 100 punches to get me out of there in one round. I’ve just got to thrown one punch. One punch and I will devastatingly knock him out. Whatever he thinks in his mind is up to him, I just focus on my energy and my short camp. I know exactly that I’ve got to do.

“I’m not here to talk and I’m not here to prove anything. My resume speaks for itself. I’ve been in with the best. This guy doesn’t intimidate me. I don’t lose any sleep about this fight at all. We’re working on a specific technique to really knock this guy out. I think he gives me every opportunity to do that. 

“I want him to be as confident as possible. I want him to be as cocky as possible. I don’t even want to warn him with what I’m coming with. It’s pointless. I’ve been that guy in the division. I want him to feel it on Saturday, and then I want him to understand. He has never been hit by somebody like me. He is going to get hit really hard on Saturday. We’re going to see what he’s really got.”

Babic vs. Molina is part of a big night of action Greenwich, Chantelle Cameron’s (14-0, 8 KOs) WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine Super-Lightweight Unification clash with the USA’s Mary McGee (27-3, 15 KOs) tops the bill, Craig Richards (16-2-1, 9 KOs) returns to the ring against Poland’s Marek Matyja (20-2-2, 9 KOs) after pushing WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol all the way in May, Youssef Khoumari (13-0-1, 5 KOs) takes on Jorge David Castaneda (14-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Silver Super-Featherweight Title, ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher (3-0, 3 KOs) faces Spain’s Alvaro Terrero (5-13-2, 3 KOs) in front of over 1,000 of his fans, Catford Super-Bantamweight Ellie Scotney (2-0) squares off against Eva Cantos (2-1) in her first fight with new trainer Shane McGuigan, Manchester Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson (10-0, 8 KOs) makes his Matchroom debut against Poland’s Piotr Podlucki (6-5, 2 KOs), Takeley Light-Heavyweight prospect John Hedges (3-0) meets Ben Thomas (2-7-3, 1 KO) over four rounds and Dublin Heavyweight Thomas Carty (1-0) has his second professional fight. 

Alen Babic will battle former World Title challenger Eric Molina in a scheduled eight-round contest on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s huge showdown with Otto Wallin at The O2 in London on Saturday October 30, live worldwide on DAZN.

‘The Savage’ (8-0, 8 KOs) continued his destructive run of form when he retired Mark Bennett in five rounds on the undercard of Kid Galahad’s IBF Featherweight World Title win over Jazza Dickens on the second week of Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex. 

‘Drummer Boy’ (28-7, 20 KOs) gave Fabio Wardley the toughest test of his career at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar earlier this year and heads into his clash with Babic on the back of a third-round knockout win over Alejandro de la Torre in August. 

“The Savage calls upon his army once again,” said Babic. “The stage is The O2 Arena, the opponent is Eric Molina. The Savage is coming home. Pain is on the menu that night, let us embrace it. I don’t want a normal fight, I want a painful one. Eric Molina – I hope you are ready because it is going to be a painful fight. Happy Halloween, Eric.”

“The Heavyweight division is on fire,” said Molina. “These are the explosive fights that people want to see. I plan to use my size and experience to my advantage. This is a very very dangerous fight for Babic.”

Babic vs. Molina is part of a huge night of boxing in the capital, Dillian Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) puts his Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title on the line against Sweden’s Otto Wallin (21-1-0-1, 14 KOs), Northampton’s Chantelle Cameron (14-0, 8 KOs) meets the USA’s Mary McGee (27-3, 15 KOs) in a unification clash for the WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine Super-Lightweight World Titles, Craig Richards (16-2-1, 9 KOs) returns to the ring against Poland’s Marek Matyja (20-2-2, 9 KOs) after pushing WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol all the way in May, Youssef Khoumari (13-0-1, 5 KOs) takes on Jorge David Castaneda (14-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Silver Super-Featherweight Title, ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher (3-0, 3 KOs) faces Spain’s Alvaro Terrero (5-13-2, 3 KOs) in front of over 1,000 of his fans, Catford Super-Bantamweight Ellie Scotney (2-0) squares off against Eva Cantos (2-1) in her first fight with new trainer Shane McGuigan, Takeley Light-Heavyweight prospect John Hedges (3-0) meets Antony Woolery (2-7) over four rounds and Dublin Heavyweight Thomas Carty (1-0) has his second professional fight. 

Tickets for Whyte vs. Wallin priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £250 and £500 (VIP) are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).

Dillian Whyte got his revenge as he stopped former world champion Alexander Povetkin in round four of a scheduled 12-round fight and win the WBC Interim Heavyweight title at the island of Girbralter.

Whyte rocked Povetkin from the outset as the former champ looked unsteady on his legs in almost every round. In round four, Whyte landed a big right hand that sent Povetkin sprawling into the ropes, and a wicked left hook sent a prone Povetkin down to the canvas just as the towel from Povetkin’s corner came flying in and the fight was stopped at 2:39.

Whyte was knocked out by Povetkin last August, but now the Englishman is back in line to get a world title shot. The 247.2 pound native of Brixton, ENG is 28-2 with 19 knockouts. Povetkin, 228 lbs of Russia is 36-3.

“I’m happier for my team than I am for me because some of my staff missed Christmas with their families,” Whyte told Matchroom. “They stayed back to help me train. They did so much behind the scenes to get me into the position for a World Title fight.

“I was so close, and then one lapse in concentration and I made a mistake. Tonight, I was like ‘yo’, I’m looking to beat some a** tonight. I was trying to get it done in the first round but then I had to relax. Anybody on the planet that gets hit with that left hook, they’re going down. Some of them might get up but most will stay down. He was kind of badly hurt. Now I feel bad. I want him to go home to his family healthy. 

“Everyone says a lot of things about me like I’m not this and I’m not that. These guys don’t know me. These guys don’t know what I’m capable of and what I can do. When I read the comments about me, I just laugh. I just laugh at these guys because I’m as strong as steel.

“One loss, two loss so what. It was a good learning fight for me because I had to think in there. I was rushing him but I had to think also. He’s still very heavy-handed and he’s still very good. I’m going to spend some time with my family and just relax. I’ll probably call Eddie tomorrow and ask him what we’re doing next. I want to make the most of it now and retire good and healthy.”

Wardley Stops Molina in 5

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated with a fifth round stoppage over former two-time-world title challenger Eric Molina in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round five, it was actually Molina who was pushing Wardley back by landing some good right hands. Molina was on the offensive when Wardley landed a short left that was followed by a right that put Molina on his back for the 10-count at 52 seconds.

Wardley, 232 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Molina, 251.5 lbs of Texas is 27-7.

“My corner weren’t too happy because sometimes I get a little bit, not lose my head, but I get a little bit bored of playing the long game and waiting it through in the tactics side,” Wardley told Sky Sports. “My heart won over a bit and I got stuck into a little bit of a war.

“I’m by no means the finished article. I’ve still got a lot to learn and that’s why we need fights like that because in other fights I’ve had where I’ve hit people, I’ve stuck it on them and they’ve gone missing. Molina didn’t go missing until we really had to dig it out.

“There was a few lessons there for us to watch back and for us to tick off. We’ll go back to the drawing board and figure them out. I needed this type of fight at this stage of my career. You can do it as much as you want in sparring and all of those type of things but it’s different when you get here under the bright lights.

“You need to test yourself in different ways and that’s what tonight was all about. I don’t go hunting for names, that’s not my style. I don’t go calling people out. I’m going for Titles, belts and accolades. That’s where we’re going next. We’re still trying to build and get those good level of opponents. At the same time, I’m now looking for that next step up. European, Commonwealth or British, something like that.”

Cheeseman stops Metcalf in 11

In a terrific back and forth brawl, Ted Cheeseman stopped previously undefeated James Metcalf in round 11 of their scheduled 12-round junior middleweight fight.

Both guys were hurt during the entertaining fight. Cheeseman seemed to have the fight in hand on several occasions, yet Metcalf would fight back with heart and desire each time. In round 11, Cheeseman landed a perfect left hook just as the bell sounded that sent Metcalf to the deck. Metcalf got to his feet, but stumbled forward, and the fight was stopped at 3:10.

Cheeseman, 154 lbs of Bernmondsey, ENG is 17-2-1 with 10 knockouts. Metcalf, 154 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 21-1.

“Again and again I’m in exciting fights,” said Cheeseman. “I’m always in entertaining fights. I’m improving and maturing. I’m working hard in the gym. Everyone doubted me and thought that I had a lot of miles on the clock. I’m still fresh as a daisy, and again I’ve cemented myself as the number one domestic Super-Welterweight.

“I felt I won the first five or six rounds. I nearly had him out of there in the fourth. I thought to myself, ‘I’m not going to waste too much energy’. I used my experience and had a couple of rounds off. I don’t think he’d ever done the 12 rounds. Then it was time for me to step it up, bully him and push him back.

“It’s great to be in these fights because they’re entertaining. I’m looking forward to the future now. For a long while I was down, and everyone thought I was out. Now I’m flying again. The bookies had me as an underdog and a lot of people thought that I was going to get beat. I outboxed him, I outfought him and I knocked him out. I showed how good I am, and I showed how much I’ve improved.”

Campbell Hatton wins Pro Debut

Campbell Hatton made his pro debut and won a decision over Jesus Ruiz in a four-round lightweight bout.

Hatton, who is the son of former two-division world champion Ricky Hatton and is trained by uncle and former world title challenger Matthew Hatton won by a score of 40-36. Ruiz of Spain is 0-11.

“At first, I was a little bit disappointed in myself,” said Hatton. “I spoke to Matt and he’s always dead honest with me. A bit brutal at times. He said I could have done better but I definitely didn’t box badly. He said I boxed really well in patches and I should be pleased with it.

“There was a lot of pressure. I did the one thing I said all week that I didn’t want to do, I let the occasion get to me a bit. Now that occasion is out of the way, it can only get better. I’m pleased and I’m buzzing. It’s a dream come true. There’s no feeling like it. You always hear people say it on the telly. I didn’t realise how true it was.

“When the music started coming on, I think everyone could see how fired up I was. That’s probably what made me put the performance in that I did. I smothered myself a little bit, but I feel on top of the world. Eddie said there that I’d be out next on the Chisora undercard. I’ll have a couple of shandies tonight and then straight back into the gym next week. I think the second fight is going to be ten times better now I’ve got that first taste of things.”

McKinson Decisions Kongo

In a battle of undefeated welterweights, Michael McKinson won a 10-round unanimous decision over Chris Kongo.

In round one, McKinson dropped Kongo in round one with a left on the inside.

McKinson, 146.2 lbs of Portsmouth, ENG won by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-94 to raise his mark to 20-0. Kongo, 147 lbs of Bermondsey, ENG is 12-1.

“I feel on top of the word,” said McKinson. “I’ve done things the hard way in my career. For many years I’ve been calling for my shot on the big stage and I never thought it would happen. I’ve been beating people for hardly anything to work my record up to 20-0.

“Fair play to Chris, Dillian and Eddie for giving me the opportunity. I didn’t think it was ever going to happen. A big shout out to my management team MTK Global and Lee Eaton for securing me this. I believe that my career starts tonight. There was a lot of people in the boxing world that didn’t have me down as the favourite. All of my mates have made money tonight! I’m happy. I’m bringing this belt back to Portsmouth.

“In the week we’ve had a lot of hype around this fight. Everyone has been talking about it. I know he’s a respectful lad deep down, and so am I. But it did get a bit heated and everyone was questioning if it was going to live up to the hype. I think it was a bit boring, but I did what I had to do to win. Great champions do what they have to do to win and I did that tonight.

“I hope Eddie can give me the opportunities; its winner stays on. I just hope I can get on one of these shows again. Like I said in all of my interviews before, Chris is the most dangerous Welterweight out there I the UK I believe but he has his weaknesses. I believe in myself. I’ve got a great team around me. I’ve given my life to this sport and it’s paid off tonight.

“I believe I’m top of the tree. There’s a lot of talk. I’ve got respect for all of the other Welterweights. Josh Kelly, Conor Benn and Florian Marku. It’s a great time to be a Welterweight domestically at the moment. I deserve the Conor Benn fight more than any other domestic fighter.”

Webb Stops Pfeifer in 2

Nick Webb stopped Paul Pfeifer in round two of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Webb sent Pfeifer down with a hard right hand. Webb dropped Pfeifer two more times, and the fight was stopped at 1:51.

Webb, 262 lbs of Surrey, ENG is 17-2 with 13 knockouts. Pfefier, 246.2 lbs of Germany is 7-1.

“I feel on top of the world,” said Webb..“Tonight before we went in we had a talk – start fast, get him out of there, we don’t get paid for overtime.  

“Everyone doubts me, but I have come here and made a statement. So, don’t doubt me no more. I want more belts, more Titles, get me out. I always believed in my self and my team believed in me too.

“It’s indescribable. I’m so happy. I’ve been through so much pain and hurt. I put everything into that. Everything into my training camp. To get a win like that is sending the right message. It’s a big win.

“Pfeifer is a great man; he was a great amateur and he had some great fights and great wins as an amateur. We knew what was in front of us, and we knew that we didn’t want to get involved with a boxing match. I just wanted to go in and destroy him.

“We said in the changing room to start fast and hit him quick, and that’s exactly what we did. Everyone overlooks me and everyone doubts me. It’s all about self-belief and mind games. When you’ve got bombs to back the mind games up, it’s all good.”

Anthony Joshua regained the IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight titles with a 12-round unanimous decision over Andy Ruiz Jr. in a rematch for their June 1st fight. The bout took place in Saudi Arabia.

Drama started early as Joshua caught Ruiz in round one with a right hand that opened up a cut around Ruiz left eye. In round two, Joshua was cut over his left eye.

Joshua showed a different style then the way he fought in his 1st 22 fights, as he boxed and moved throughout the whole fight. Ruiz landed a couple of left hooks, but it was Joshua, who worked behind a great jab and he mixed in some ripping right hands and an occasional left hook. Neither man was in any danger of being in trouble .

Joshua won by scores of 119-109 and 118-110 twice. Joshua, 237 lbs of London is now 23-1. Ruiz, 283.7 lbs of Imperial Valley, CA is 33-2.

Anthony Joshua

On his performance: “Man, the first time was so nice – I had to do it twice! A man like me don’t make no excuses, my boy Derek Chisora said I could do this if I am ready to D-I-E. And look, this is about boxing. I am used to knocking guys out. Last time, I hurt the man and I got caught coming in. I gave that man his credit. There was no excuses. I respect Andy and his family and his trainers so much. I just wanted to put on a great boxing masterclass and also show the sweet science of this lovely sport. It’s about hitting and not getting hit.”

On any mental changes: “Never a change in mentality. You know the saying, ‘Stay hungry, stay humble.’ I have stayed hungry and I have stayed humble. I am humble in defeat and I will remain humble in victory. Thank you again to Andy Ruiz and his family, to Saudi Arabia and all of the traveling fans, all of my supporters.”

On handling Andy Ruiz’s pressure: “It’s all about preparation. Like I said, one day when I release a book I will walk through my career’s experience. It’s just about creating great memories. I took my L and I bounced back. Life is a rollercoaster. I heard some people say that we should retire if we lose. Hey Andy, are you ready to retire? (Andy: ‘No way, let’s go again.’) Exactly, we are warriors.” 

On a third fight: “Without a doubt. If you heard, we are going to do a third. He beat me fair and square the first time and I beat him fair and square the second time. So we will do it again. 100%.”

On where this win ranks in his career: “I just want to say I have the utmost respect for Andy Ruiz who beat me fair and square in the first exam. I failed the first time, but I came back and studied hard and passed this time. But this ranks second. The first would be my fight against Wladimir Klitschko. It means so much to me and I learned so much from that fight. I respect Wladimir so much and he gives me so much advice still. This fight ranks number two though.”

On being disciplined in this fight: “I know that my fans like to see me knock people out and I can do that but sometimes with certain fighters you have to box smarter.”

On fighting Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury: “What can I say? I have been speaking about these guys a long time. You see this time, when I had the opportunity to just focus solely on Andy,  my head is in the right place. When Wilder, Fury, Ortiz and Usyk are really ready, they will make the call. Until then, I respect them. I won’t continue to call them out. I am making my own lane and if they want to be a part of that, they will call. Ruiz did it and created a legacy. If those guys want to do it, they can create a legacy too. Look at all I have done, come on. When I call them out and do all of that, I lose focus.”

Andy Ruiz Jr

On his performance: “It was his night. I don’t think I prepared as good as I should have. I gained too much weight but I don’t want to give no excuses. He won, he boxed me around but if we do the third, best believe I will come in the best shape of my life.”

On his higher weight being an issue: “It kind of affected me a lot. I thought I would come in stronger and better. But you know what, next time I am going to prepare better with my team. This time I tried to train myself at times to get prepared but no excuses. Anthony Joshua did a hell of a job. Thanks to everyone in Saudi Arabia who supported.” 

On pressuring AJ: “I think I was chasing him too much instead of cutting off the ring. I just felt like I couldn’t throw my combinations. But who wants to see this third fight?”

Eddie Hearn

On what’s next: “We are going to celebrate. Anthony Joshua is an amazing ambassador for the sport. He has given everything to this sport. Tonight, in Saudi Arabia, he becomes the two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World and that is beautiful.

On his performance: “It was an absolute masterclass. He was able to stay disciplined. People have doubted his boxing ability, his endurance. He was humiliated at Madison Square Garden. It was the American coming out party and it was ruined. He could have brushed himself down and went off. Instead he came back and put on that performance and it was beautiful. That’s the sweet science. That was like Picasso on a canvas, paining a masterpiece.”

On Anthony’s comeback: “They wrote him off. They said he was all hype. He had to come back from humiliation at Madison Square Garden. Tonight, he is the governor. The governor of the division.”

On fighting in Saudi Arabia: “We got criticized for coming here but these people have been amazing. The vision they have for boxing in this region is incredible and they delivered.

On AJ becoming undisputed Heavyweight champion: “Tonight is about becoming the two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World. We can talk about that later. We’ve wanted the undisputed for years and years. We will do what Anthony wants to do and he’s always wanted to be undisputed. People listen to rubbish that he doesn’t want it and you know what, we won’t give them this. We aren’t even going to give them the airtime. He is the king. They wrote him off and said he all hype but look, he’s back. He is the king again. He is the one who continues to step up – Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder’s resume don’t even stack up. They world stopped to watch Anthony Joshua become the two-time World Heavyweight Champion today and it was all live on DAZN, baby.”

On fighting Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury: “Anthony has been chasing them for years. Those fights will happen. Maybe they were right to walk away from those fights back then because the fight is worth much more now. AJ wants the legacy. He created that legacy tonight in Saudi Arabia. He sells out arenas around the world. He is transforming boxing. These other guys can’t lace his boots! He is only 24 fights in and he is only going to get better.”

Michael Hunter and former world champion Alexander Povetkin battled to a spirited 12-round split draw.

Both guys were hurt and wobbled during the fight.

Each fighter won a scored card by a 115-113 margin, and a 3rd card was 114-114.

Povetkin, 229.3 lbs of Russia is 35-2-1. Hunter, 226.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 18-1-1.

Dillian Whyte won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Mariusz Wach in a heavyweight bout.

Whyte won the fight be working the body and landing some hard right hands. Wach landed a few hard rights throughout the contest.

Whyte, 271.1 lbs of London won by scores of 98-93 and 97-93 twice and is now 27-1. Wach, 270 lbs of Krackow, POL is 35-6.

Filip Hrgovic stopped former two-time world title challenger in round three of a scheduled 12-round heavyweight bout.

Hrgovic dropped Molina in round’s one and two, but referee Ian John Lewis ruled the shots were behind the head. later in round two, Hrgovic was credited with a knockdown after landing a thudding right to the body. In round three, Hrgovc landed a hard right to head that sent Molina down for the count at 2:03

Hrgovic, 241.1 lbs of Zagreb, CRO is 10-0 with eight knockouts. Molina, 248 lbs of Rio Grande, TX is 27-6.

“This is war, man. You use all your weapons,” said Hrgovi?. “I am ready for anyone, I want to fight the biggest names in the division, and I hope these warriors will accept.

“AJ and Wilder took longer to knock him out so I’ve made a statement. There were some technical mistakes so I still need to improve, but I have the best chin in the division. He gave me 3 or 4 of his best punches and never hurt me once.

“I would like to box in the UK. Give me the biggest names, Chisora, Whyte, I will fight anyone. I can be a World Champion in my next few fights.”

Mahammadrasul Majidov stopped Tom Little in round two of a scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Majidov landed a huge chopping right to the head that sent Majidov to the canvas. Little tried to fight back, but continued to take punishment and hard combination forced a referee stoppage at 1:49.

Majidov, 231 lbs of Baku, AZN is now 2-0 with two knockouts. Little, 251 lbs of Hatfield, UK is 10-9.

Hopey Price stopped Sweti Mohamed in the 3rd round of their four-round bantamweight bout.

Price, 125.9 lbs of Leeds, UK is 2-0 with one stoppage. Mohamed, 125.1 lbs of Tanzania is 12-7-2.

Diego Pacheco destroyed Selemani Said in the 1st round of their scheduled four-round super middleweight bout.

Pacheco dropped Saidi with a vicious right that sent Saidi down for several minutes.

Pacheco, 167.1 lbs of South Central Los Angeles is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Saidi, 166.8 lbs of Tanania is 20-16-5.

Filip Hrgovi? (9-0, 7 KOs) is weighed in and ready for his WBC International Heavyweight Title defence against former two-time World Title challenger Eric Molina (27-5, 19 KOs) tomorrow night at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia.

Hrgovi?, who fights on the undercard of the huge heavyweight rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua, tipped the scales at 109.32 kg, while his opponent Molina came in heavier at 112.49 kg. 

“I feel very good,” said Hrgovi?. “This is my biggest fight so far but I believe 100% that I can beat him if I put in my very best performance. I don’t think it will be easy but I am ready. I can throw a lot of punches, I have fast hands and I can take a punch, if necessary. I know I have the skillset to win.”

Hrgovi? is backing Joshua to regain his belts in Saturday’s main event, and having already earned top ten rankings, the 27-year-old is aware his World Title shot could come soon, but acknowledges first he must get past Molina. 

“I think Joshua wasn’t himself in the first fight,” he says. “You could see he was under pressure. I think the things around him, the money and fame, took a part and he lost focus. Now, I think he has that back and he will win the rematch and show that he is a big champion. If he doesn’t win, I expect him to retire.

“In boxing anything can happen. Andy Ruiz was only one place ahead of me when his chance came and he took advantage of it. I’m already top ten in the rankings so my chance could come very soon, but first I must win on Saturday.”

“Filip looks in great shape,” said promoter Nisse Sauerland. “He is fully focused and ready to go. This is a great opportunity for him to announce himself on the World stage. We believe he is the best fighter in the heavyweight division and tomorrow night he has the chance to show that.”

Hrgovic-Molina features on the undercard of the unified World Heavyweight Championship fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua which tops a stacked event at the Diriyah Arena, Saudi Arabia. Also on the card are heavyweight clashes between Alexander Povetkin and Michael Hunter, Dillian Whyte against Mariusz Wach, Mahammadrasul Majidov vs Tom Little and more. All the action will be available to watch on DAZN in the US and other territories, RTL in Croatia and Sky Sports in the UK.

Filip Hrgovi? (9-0, 7 KOs) came face to face with his opponent Eric Molina (27-5, 19 KOs) for the first time at today’s ‘Clash On The Dunes’ press conference at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia ahead of Saturday night’s historic boxing event.

Hrgovi?, who won Bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, continues his global tour of 2019 by boxing in a third different country, having already claimed memorable knockout wins over Gregory Corbin and Mario Heredia in the United States and Mexico earlier this year.

The 27-year-old, defending his WBC International Heavyweight crown, must now overcome his toughest career test as he goes in search of his tenth professional victory against the former two-time World Title challenger Molina.

“He trained for eight weeks, I trained for twelve,” said Hrgovi?. “That’s a good thing for me! I trained like never before with my coach Pedro Diaz in Miami for eight weeks, and I had four weeks with my assistant coach Yousef Hasan in Zagreb, Croatia.

“I’m feeling very good and I’m ready for my biggest fight so far. Thank you to Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, Team Sauerland, Zeljko Karajica, Sky Sports and DAZN. It’s an honour for me to be part of this great event.”

The experienced American Molina has already fought twice for the World Heavyweight title, facing both Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua, and is confident his resilience can see him cause an upset on Saturday night.

“This is an iconic sporting event. An iconic rematch,” said Molina. “I’m extremely thankful to be part of this event. When you start your career 0-1 this is all just a bonus, it’s just beautiful to experience.”

“I’m the guy in the heavyweight division that just doesn’t go away. I call it the art of bouncing back. I find a way to stick around and on Saturday night I will find a way to stick around.”

The Croatian heavyweight sensation known as ‘El Animal’ is putting together an impressive resume after nine fights, and promoter Nisse Sauerland believes Hrgovi? is already the biggest talent in boxing’s glamour division.

“The biggest problem we have with Filip is finding heavyweights that will fight him,” said Sauerland. “Eric looks in great shape and we look forward to seeing his performance on Saturday, but I believe Filip is the best heavyweight out there.

“It’s great to be back in Saudi, last time I was here the crowd was great and I expect the same on Saturday night. I’m looking forward to showcasing Filip on such a great event and we are excited to end this years world tour with a big bang!”

Eddie Hearn for Matchroom Boxing says he is excited to see the 27-year-old Croatian in action in Saturday’s intriguing heavyweight clash.

“Filip Hrgovi? is one of the top young fighters coming through in the division right now. He was an outstanding amateur and he has great skills and a great team. I am delighted to be working with Team Sauerland co-promoting Filip and he’s up against a fighter who believes this is his time to relaunch himself on the world heavyweight scene.”

Hrgovic-Molina features on the undercard of the unified World Heavyweight Championship fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua which tops a stacked event at the Diriyah Arena, Saudi Arabia. Also on the card are heavyweight clashes between Alexander Povetkin and Michael Hunter, Dillian Whyte against Mariusz Wach, Mahammadrasul Majidov vs Tom Little and more. All the action will be available to watch on DAZN in the US and other territories, RTL in Croatia and Sky Sports in the UK.

Filip Hrgovi? (9-0, 7 KOs) has arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of his WBC International Heavyweight Title clash with Eric Molina (27-5, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at the Diriyah Arena on the undercard of the huge rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua for the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles.

The Croatian star says he is excited to showcase his skills on the biggest stage as he looks to claim his tenth professional win and continue his World Title push with victory over two-time World Title challenger Molina.

“It feels great to be here in Saudi Arabia,” said Hrgovi?, who took part in a public workout today with his coach Pedro Diaz. “I’m looking forward to fighting on such a big event. The whole world will be watching so this is a big opportunity for me to show everybody what I can do, and prove I’m ready to fight the best!

“I’ve had a great training camp. I spent four weeks in Zagreb with my conditioning coach Igor Cordas and boxing coach Yousef Hasan followed by eight weeks in Miami with Pedro Diaz. We trained like never before.

“To be a World Champion you have to be willing to fight all over the world. It is part of the job, and as I always say a ring is a ring no matter where it is. I’ve boxed all over the world as an amateur and I’m excited to fight in Saudi Arabia.

“I’m very satisfied with how my career is going. To have my tenth fight on such a big event is like a dream and I would like to thank my promoter Team Sauerland, Matchroom Boxing and my manager Zeljko Karajica for doing a great job.

“I have always said I want to fight the best in the division and me and my team will not avoid anyone. We offered Chisora to fight me when Joseph Parker cancelled their fight and they refused so I would like to fight him next.”

Hrgovic-Molina features on the undercard of the unified World Heavyweight Championship fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua which tops a stacked event at the Diriyah Arena, Saudi Arabia. Also on the card are heavyweight clashes between Alexander Povetkin and Michael Hunter, Dillian Whyte against Mariusz Wach, Mahammadrasul Majidov vs Tom Little and more. All the action will be available to watch on DAZN in the US and other territories, RTL in Croatia and Sky Sports in the UK.

Legendary Cuban coach Pedro Diaz says fast rising heavyweight star Filip Hrgovi? (9-0, 7 KOs) is focused on the World Title as he prepares to defend his WBC International strap against Eric Molina (27-5, 19 KOs) on December 7th at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia.

The Croatian boxing sensation has been in Miami preparing under the tutelage of Diaz for the fifth time in his professional career, and is looking to make a statement on the biggest stage as he fights on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s hotly anticipated rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr for the status of Unified Heavyweight World Champion.

Ahead of his tenth professional fight, Diaz says Hrgovi? has had the perfect training camp and is promising fans a glimpse of the future success they will share together.

“Filip is one of the most serious and focused champions I have ever worked with. He enjoys training and is totally focused,” said Diaz.

“Training camp is going fantastic! Spirits are high and everyone’s goals are perfectly aligned, we are definitely on the hunt.

“Filip has developed into a greater technical, physical and mental fighter and with this being our fifth fight together I believe our chemistry has really grown into something that everyone will see on December 7th in the ‘Clash on the Dunes’.

“Everything happens when the time is right, for Filip and our team our focus is the World Title. Training is based on that goal.”

Hrgovic-Molina features on the undercard of the unified World Heavyweight Championship fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua which tops a stacked event at the Diriyah Arena, Saudi Arabia.

Also on the card are heavyweight clashes between Alexander Povetkin and Michael Hunter, Dillian Whyte against Mariusz Wach, Mahammadrasul Majidov vs Tom Little and more. All the action will be available to watch on DAZN in the US and other territories, RTL in Croatia and Sky Sports in the UK. 

Filip Hrgovi? (9-0, 7 KOs) steps up to face former World Title challenger Eric Molina (27-5, 19 KOs) as part of a colossal night of boxing at the Diriyah Arena in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday December 7 featuring the Unified Heavyweight World Title rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

The Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, who will be defending his WBC International Title, has made a blistering start to his professional career, racing to nine wins from nine fights – with seven of those wins coming by knockout – since making his pro debut at the Arena Riga in September 2017.

Ranked in the top ten in the world with the WBC, WBA and IBF, the 27-year-old already finds himself being propositioned for a World Title shot having been matched aggressively from the very start of this career, landing the WBC ranking title with a sensational knockout win over Amir Mansour.

Molina, a two-time World Title challenger from Texas USA, has mixed it at the top of the Heavyweight division throughout his twelve-year career as a pro. His first World Title attempt came against WBC king Deontay Wilder in 2015 when he took ‘The Bronze Bomber’ nine rounds before succumbing to a stoppage loss.

A year later he travelled to the UK to face IBF ruler Joshua at Manchester Arena and was stopped in three rounds in what was ‘AJ’s’ maiden World Title defence. Fights against Terrell Jamal Woods and Dominic Breazeale followed in 2017 before Molina made his return in February earlier this year, outpointing Nick Guivas in Brownsville.

“I’m very honoured to be a part of this great event,” said Hrgovi?. “It is a big step up for me in terms of the level of opponent and also the size of the event. 

“The whole world will be watching and this is a big opportunity for me to showcase my skills. I would like to thank my team Team Sauerland, Zeljko Karajica and Eddie Hearn for making this possible.

“I’m expecting a hard fight. Eric Molina has fought two times for the World title. He rocked Deontay Wilder in their fight and almost knocked him down. He is a very dangerous fighter with a lot of experience. This will be a big step up in competition and I am expecting the hardest fight of my career.

“From the beginning, we have started with very strong competition. I have told my promoter Team Sauerland that I am ready for anyone in the world and I have always wanted to fight the best so I’m excited for the challenge.

“Everything is perfect in training. I am getting stronger and better with every camp. Pedro Diaz is a great coach and I think we are a very good team. With every camp I see more and more of his knowledge and experience. I am very happy to be here training with him and I think he is bringing out the best in me.”

“I am beyond excited to be a part of this amazing boxing event in Saudi Arabia,” said Molina. “I am grateful to finally be back in the ring and I know exactly what this fight means. Eddie Hearn has given me more than enough time to be physically, mentally and spiritually ready for Hrgovi?.”

Promoter Nisse Sauerland said: “Filip is the fastest rising star of the heavyweight division so it is fitting that he play a part in this massive night for heavyweight boxing. This is a huge opportunity with the whole world watching and a chance for him to further his World title claim with a win over Molina.”

Russian powerhouse Alexander Povetkin (35-2, 24 KOs) is also confirmed for the undercard as he returns from his August triumph over Hughie Fury to take on USA’s Heavyweight talent Michael Hunter (18-1, 12 KOs) in an Eliminator for the WBA World Title.

“The world will stop on December 7 to watch Ruiz vs. Joshua 2 and now they have more mouth-watering action to whet the appetite,” said Eddie Hearn. “Povetkin vs. Hunter is a brilliant match up with both men looking for a crack at the World Heavyweight Title in 2020 and unbeaten Hrgovi? makes his first step up against World Title challenger Eric Molina.” 

Deerfield Beach, FL (September 10, 2018)—Heavyweight contender Eric Molina’s manager, Lee Holliday, is working with the British Board of Boxing in hopes of getting Molina an early release from his suspension.

Molina was given a two-year suspension by the British Boxing Board for an illegal substance discovered in post-fight testing following his loss to Anthony Joshua in England on Dec. 10, 2016.

“I’m hopeful that the British Boxing Board will consider allowing Molina an early release on his suspension,” said Holliday. “It is coming up on two years since the Joshua fight. I know David Price is looking for an opponent in England. If we are fortunate to get the release, Molina would be happy to fight Price.”

The British Board of Boxing found a banned substance and Molina thought it was part of the B12 supplement he was taking.

Molina is 26-5 with 19 KOs and Price is 22-5 with 18 KOs.

BROOKLYN (October 12, 2017) – Top heavyweight title contender Dominic Breazeale will take on Eric Molina in a 12-round WBC title elimination match on the undercard of the showdown between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Bermane Stiverne live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, Nov. 4. The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The stacked card will also feature former welterweight champion Shawn Porter taking on Adrian Granados and Sergey Lipinets battling Akihiro Kondo for the vacant junior welterweight title in televised bouts. The live three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Plus, five-time world champion Amanda Serrano of Brooklyn takes on Marilyn Hernandez, Long Island’s Seanie Monaghan (28-1-0, 17 KOs) makes his ring return to face Evert Bravo (23-6-1, 17 KOs), from Arboletes, Colombia, and Brooklyn’s Chris Colbert (6-0, 2 KOs) battles Long Island’s Titus Williams (7-0, 2 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight bout.

New prices have been set for tickets to see the event live at Barclays Center, giving fans an unprecedented opportunity to see the heavyweight champion of the world in a rematch against the only contender who has taken him a full 12 rounds.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

“We’ve recognized that Deontay’s opponent has changed, and we’ve restructured ticket prices to encourage as many fans as possible to attend a great night of fights, and the Heavyweight Championship of the world,” said Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment, the promoter of the card. “Stiverne is thrilled for this second chance and he has nothing to lose. Bermane Stiverne is the only opponent that Deontay hasn’t knocked out among his professional opponents. Deontay wants to fix that and Stiverne is looking to throw a wrench into Wilder’s dream of heavyweight unification.”

Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) dethroned defending champion Stiverne in January 2015 via unanimous decision in what was the promising challenger’s toughest fight to date. With the win, Wilder became the first American heavyweight champion in nearly a decade and he has gone on to defend the title five times. Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs) remains the only Wilder opponent to go the distance with the hard-hitting Tuscaloosa, Ala., native who has knocked out every other professional opponent on his long resume.

Dominic Breazeale (18-1, 16 KOs), who lives in Eastvale, California, is coming off a KO victory over Izu Ugonoh on Feb. 25. The 32-year-old Breazeale suffered the only loss of career in a heavyweight championship match against Anthony Joshua in London on June 25, 2016.

Eric Molina (26-4, 19 KOs) has twice fought for the heavyweight world championship. In his first title shot the 35-year-old from Weslaco, Texas was knocked out by Deontay Wilder on June 13, 2015. Molina lost via TKO to Anthony Joshua in his next opportunity on Dec. 10, 2016. Molina bounced back with a majority decision victory against Jamal Woods in his last fight on Sept. 2.

Five-division world champion Amanda Serrano (33-1-1, 25 KOs) will be making her fourth appearance at Barclays Center when she defends her super bantamweight world title against Marilyn Hernandez (26-10, 17 KOs). Serrano, who was born in Puerto Rico and lives in Brooklyn, successfully defended her title with a TKO victory over Edina Kiss in her last fight on July 21. Hernandez of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic scored a TKO victory over Maria Hernandez in her last fight on Jan. 10.

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Anthony Joshua retained the IBF Heavyweight title with a 3rd round stoppage over Eric Molina at a sold out crowd at the Manchester Arena in Mancherster, England.

Joshua floored Molina with a powerful right in the 3rd round. Molina was hurt and ate a huge combination and the fight was stopped at

Joshua will now fight Wladimir Klitschko in Wembley Stadium, and now has a record of 18-0 with 18 knockouts. Molina is now 25-4.

MANCHESTER, England (Dec. 8, 2016) – IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua and American challenger Eric Molina met for their final press conference on Thursday in Manchester, England, as they prepare to square off this Saturday at Manchester Arena live on SHOWTIME® (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT).

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation originates from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, site of that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast. WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi as part of the SHOWTIME announce team for Joshua vs. Molina.

“It’s not so much about who I’m fighting, it’s about myself,” Joshua told the British press. “I’m not really worried about what Eric’s camp is doing. God willing I go out there to do my job. I’m just really worried about myself. I’ll make Eric look like a novice.”

Molina said he wants to duplicate the feat of his long-time mentor Oliver McCall, who in 1994 upset Lennox Lewis for the WBC Heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium in London. “I always envision myself having that moment that he had here in England,” Molina said. “He had that big win and it just shows the world that in this heavyweight division anything is possible.”

Added Molina: “If you slip-up one second you’ll be dancing and the world will be talking.”

Undefeated sensation and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) will make the second defense of his title against Molina (25-3 19 KOs), a Texas native getting his second shot at a belt in his quest to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.

An encore presentation of Joshua vs. Molina will air as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast later that evening, following the main event showdown between WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar and three-division former champ Abner Mares. In the co-feature, Jermall Charlo will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Julian Williams.

NEW YORK (Dec. 2, 2016) – WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will join the SHOWTIME announce team as a guest analyst for the IBF Heavyweight World Championship fight between undefeated champion Anthony Joshua and American challenger Eric Molina on Saturday, Dec. 10, live on SHOWTIME (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT).

Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi for the SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, site of that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast.

The “Bronze Bomber” just completed rehab for a fractured right hand and torn right bicep (see video above) as he (Wilder) sets his sights to unify the division in 2017. Wilder is acutely familiar with Molina, having defeated the fellow-American in the first defense of his title in June, 2015 on SHOWTIME.

“I know firsthand just how tough Eric Molina is,” Wilder said. “He’s coming to win because it’s a chance for him to win a world title, and he’ll definitely push Joshua. Whoever wins will have to see me eventually because it’s my goal to collect all the belts and become the undisputed heavyweight champion.”

Joshua is making the second defense of his title against Molina, who is getting his second shot at a belt in his quest to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.

An encore presentation of Joshua vs. Molina will air as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast later that evening, following the main event showdown between WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar and three-division former champ Abner Mares. In the opening bout, Jermall Carlo will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Julian Williams.

17,000 tickets were sold on the opening day of sales for Anthony Joshua’s IBF World Heavyweight title defence against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on SHOWTIME in the US.

Joshua defends his crown for the second time in his third fight in a row against American opposition – with limited tickets remaining on sale priced £40 to £500 from http://www.manchester-arena.com/ and on 0844 847 8000. VIP tickets are £800 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Joshua’s clash with Molina tops a huge night of action in Manchester as Dillian Whyte faces bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC title.

Scott Quigg returns to action after treatment on his broken jaw following his unification blockbuster with Carl Frampton, and the Bury star moves up to Featherweight as he looks to regain his status as a World champion.

Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first World champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task to rip the WBA Super-Flyweight title against Luis Concepcion, the two-weight World champion that will enter the ring in his 11th World title outing.

Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks after making her pro debut at The SSE Arena, Wembley on November 26, Heavyweight wrecking ball ‘King Kong’ Luis Ortiz fights in Europe for the second time after clashing with Malik Scott in Monte-Carlo on November 12 and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.

Face value tickets for December 10 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

LONDON (Nov. 4, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) and challenger Eric Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) went face-to-face Friday at the kickoff press conference at Dorchester Hotel in London to formally announce their heavyweight world title fight on Saturday, Dec. 10, live on SHOWTIME from Manchester Arena in Manchester. There were 17,000 tickets sold on the first day to purchase tickets.

Joshua, a British sensation and the 2012 Olympic Games heavyweight gold medalist, will be making the second defense of the title he won over Charles Martin last April 4. Joshua knocked out previously unbeaten Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round last June 25 in his initial defense.

Molina will be getting his second opportunity at a world title. Molina has won two straight since challenging WBC title holder Deontay Wilder in 2015, including a 10th-round TKO over former world champion Tomasz Adamek last April 4 in Poland.

Here’s what the heavyweights said:

ANTHONY JOSHUA:
“I don’t think that I’ll be rusty. I’m not going to say camp is smooth or great because it’s always tough and exhausting for the body. I needed a break because I live in the gym, it’s what I’ve been doing since I was 18 and I haven’t taken my foot off the gas since. The task is to express myself under the bright lights in the arena and show what we’ve worked on in the dark corners of the gym.

“I started preparing my body for camp and then training for this date. I don’t want to mention Wladimir Klitschko too much because that’s not the relevant opponent – Eric Molina is the man that will stand across the ring from me on December 10. He’s a tough competitor and represents a strong challenge to me. We are competing for my belt and the guys that want to become world champion raise their levels by 50-60 percent.

“There’s nowhere to hide on fight night. There’s no change in my focus for Eric. Wladimir doesn’t enter the equation for me. People will talk about him and I’ll answer the questions, but that’s as far as it goes. He’s not in my mind, Eric is.

“It takes courage to step into the ring. Deontay Wilder is known as a one-punch KO artist and Eric stood up to his power, so it shows that he’s here to push the champion and take my title.

“I don’t get involved in other people’s issues or stories, it’s nothing to do with me. It wasn’t that long ago that no one cared what I was doing, so I don’t really have to prove myself to anyone aside from myself.

“The division has been blown wide open but they’ve been saying that for a while and they will keep saying it until someone dominates the division again. It’s not so much about brand and hype, it’s about guys like Eric that come with true heart and are gladiators and fight for the love of the sport, and leave everything in the ring on fight night.

“There’s a lot at stake and with Sky Sports and SHOWTIME behind us, this is a big stage to show what you have got. I’m serious about what I do and about moving forward. I don’t have a script, I can only speak from the heart; whatever Eric’s destiny is, that’s what will happen on the night. If his destiny is to become heavyweight champion, so be it. But my destiny is to carry on the path I am on and put in a dominant performance on an explosive night of boxing in Manchester.”

ERIC MOLINA:
“I’ve been in these fights before. I have no amateur experience so I’m learning no the job — and I’m getting better every fight. I fought five rounds against Wilder with a busted ankle, so everything you saw from me was done on one ankle. That’s the kind of guy this young man is facing. I fight with everything I’ve got. Even if I’m hurt, I still fight, because I know that one punch at any given moment can win me the fight. Anything can happen in the heavyweight division.

“I knew this fight was coming my way because nobody wants to fight him. Let’s be real. All the other fighters want to go and fight other guys and for the other belts and not face Anthony Joshua. I’m a guy that’s been in with Wilder – no one wants to fight Wilder, but I did, and that’s why I’m in London today and will be in Manchester on Dec. 10 putting it all on the line, body and soul. I want that IBF belt, I don’t have the option to go for another belt or down another route. This is it for me, and that means he’s going to have the toughest fight of his career, I can guarantee that.

“Tomasz Adamek had never been KO’d, so the momentum from that win in Poland was big. I felt it was time to take time off from work and put 100 percent into this.

“Back home, people know me as a certain type of fighter. On day one of my career I lost in the first round and that’s why on the back of my shirt it says ‘The Art Of Bouncing Back.’ Those aren’t just words. Boxing is the most brutal sport when it comes to trying to bounce back. Once you lose, everybody is gone from your side. There are fighters out there that say they want to bounce back but they don’t have the guts to put themselves in a position to do it. I put myself in the fight with Wilder and I went to Poland and beat Adamek to bounce back and show people who I am.

“You have to prove yourself in this sport and then you can claim the rewards. I didn’t have an easy road to get here, I’ve had to do it the hard way and I’ve earned my way here.’’

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The WBA have officially sanctioned a blockbuster battle between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko for the spring of 2017 for the Super title – but only if Joshua successfully defends his IBF World Heavyweight title against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on SHOWTIME in the US.

Joshua defends his crown for the second time in his third straight clash with American opposition having ripped the strap from Charles Martin with a second round KO win in February at The O2 and defending the belt against Dominic Breazeale with a seventh round stoppage at his London fortress in June, extending his impressive run of KO wins to 17 in the paid ranks.

The 27 year old Olympic hero now faces his toughest test to date knowing that his clash with Klitschko is on the line along with his precious IBF belt.

Klitschko ruled the Heavyweight division for 15 years after landing the WBO crown on October 14 2000 and over that stretch adding the IBF, WBA, IBO and Ring magazine titles over a stunning career, before defeat to Tyson Fury in November. The 1996 Olympic gold medal hero fights in the UK for the second time in his glittering career having beaten Monte Barrett in London in July 2000 in his last fight before he became World king and his incredible domination of the Heavyweight scene began.

“It’s been an arduous wait to gain official approval but we were delighted to receive the news that the WBA will official sanction the fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA super title,” said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

“We will now move forward with Bernd Boente and Team Klitschko in planning the date and venue knowing that victory against Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10 is more important than ever.”

There’s a huge card in support of the main event as Dillian Whyte defends his British Heavyweight title against bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC title. Whyte makes the second defence of his strap after seeing off fellow Brixton man Ian Lewison in Glasgow last month, while former World title challenger Chisora can get his hands on the Lord Lonsdale belt for the second time.

Scott Quigg returns to action after treatment on his broken jaw following his unification blockbuster with Carl Frampton, and the Bury star moves up to Featherweight as he looks to regain his status as a World champion.

Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first World champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task to rip the WBA Super-Flyweight title against Luis Concepcion, the two-weight World champion that will enter the ring in his 11th World title outing.

Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks after making her pro debut at The SSE Arena, Wembley on November 26, Heavyweight wrecking ball ‘King Kong’ Luis Ortiz fights in Europe for the second time after clashing with Malik Scott in Monte-Carlo on November 12 and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.

Tickets go on sale to Matchroom Boxing Fight Pass members at midday on Thursday November 3 from the Fight Pass members via this link: bit.ly/JoshuaMolina. Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300 and £500, with Inner Ringside VIP tickets priced at £800 – due to the high demand for the event, tickets are capped at FOUR per Fight Pass member.

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Friday November 4. Tickets priced £40 to £500 will be available from http://www.manchester-arena.com/ and on 0844 847 8000 VIP tickets are £800 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Face value tickets for December 10 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Anthony Joshua MBE is set to defend his IBF World Heavyweight title against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on SHOWTIME in the US.

Joshua puts his crown on the line for the second time and fights his third American in a row having destroyed Charles Martin inside two rounds to rip the title from the St Louis man in April at The O2 in London and then stopping Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round at the same venue in June, extending his unbeaten run in the paid ranks to 17 wins, all inside the distance.

Molina becomes the latest man to attempt to derail the Olympic Gold medal hero, the Texan is looking to get his hands on the top prize in his second World title tilt after challenging Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown in June 2015. The 34 year old enters the bout full of confidence after travelling to Poland and knocking out Tomasz Adamek in the tenth round of their clash for the IBF Inter-Continental strap in April.

“I am pleased that everything is now set for December 10 and I can concentrate on getting the business done in the ring,” said Joshua. “There has been plenty of talk about who I may face but all I’m doing is concentrating on finishing Molina in style and putting on a great show.

“Every fight is dangerous in this division and this is no exception. I saw Molina have a great fight with Wilder and he is now coming off a strong KO win against Adamek in Poland.

“I’m expecting this to be the toughest fight of my career so far and I will be ready for an all-out war.”

“There is no Heavyweight in the world that has bounced back like I have,” said Molina. “That’s the man that Joshua faces on December 10 and that man is a very dangerous one.

“He’ll fight the toughest Molina that anybody has ever seen, just like Adamek fought the toughest Molina.

“I’m confident. These type of fights don’t shake me up, I’m a very strong mental fighter. I know exactly what I’ve got to do to prepare myself in the amount of time. I know exactly what I’ve got to do, mentally, physically, to go there and perform.

“When you walk out into the atmosphere, half the battle is the mental battle, and if you can stay in the moment mentally you have a shot in any fight.”

There’s a huge card in support of the main event as Dillian Whyte defends his British Heavyweight title against bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC title. Whyte makes the second defence of his strap after seeing off fellow Brixton man Ian Lewison in Glasgow last month, while former World title challenger Chisora can get his hands on the Lord Lonsdale belt for the second time.

Scott Quigg returns to action after treatment on his broken jaw following his unification blockbuster with Carl Frampton, and the Bury star moves up to Featherweight as he looks to regain his status as a World champion.

Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first World champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task to rip the WBA Super-Flyweight title against Luis Concepcion, the two-weight World champion that will enter the ring in his 11th World title outing.

Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks after making her pro debut at The SSE Arena, Wembley on November 26, Heavyweight wrecking ball ‘King Kong’ Luis Ortiz fights in Europe for the second time after clashing with Malik Scott in Monte-Carlo on November 12 and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.

“The Heavyweight division has been turned on its head in the last few months and while many are standing still waiting, I’m delighted to get this huge card up and running in Manchester,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

“I have spoken to Eric Molina at length and I know this is going to be a big test for Anthony. We saw in the Wilder fight that he can punch and doesn’t give in and is coming off a strong knockout win against Adamek in his back yard in Poland. We have requested an exception from the IBF for this fight and although the plans are for a major unification in the spring this fight requires Anthony’s full focus.

“The card is one of the strongest we have produced, supported by a huge all-British Heavyweight grudge match between Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora which will be an official eliminator for the WBC World title.

“We are delighted to see the return of Scott Quigg who will now campaign at Featherweight and Birmingham’s Kal Yafai has a chance to make history in a brutal fight against World champion Luis Concepcion.

“One of the most exciting Heavyweights in world boxing Luis Ortiz will feature and Ireland’s Katie Taylor will continue to break the mould in front of a sold out 21,000 crowd. The re-scheduled British Light-Heavyweight clash between Hosea Burton and Frank Buglioni is sure to produce fireworks and there will also be further names added in the following weeks.”

Tickets go on sale to Matchroom Boxing Fight Pass members at midday on Thursday November 3 from the Fight Pass members via this link: bit.ly/JoshuaMolina. Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300 and £500, with Inner Ringside VIP tickets priced at £800 – due to the high demand for the event, tickets are capped at FOUR per Fight Pass member.

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Friday November 4. Tickets priced £40 to £500 will be available from http://www.manchester-arena.com/ and on 0844 847 8000 VIP tickets are £800 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Face value tickets for December 10 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

KRAKOW, POLAND (April 1, 2016) – The official weigh in for tomorrow’s “The Final Call” pay-per-view event was held today and all of the fighters made weight (see below).

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the card in North America for live viewing on cable, satellite and Internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV, Shaw PPV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.GFL.tv and www.Eversport.TV (Polish commentary only), and via the FITE.TV app (or go to http://www.fite.tv/v/adamekvsmolina for more information) for both Android and iOS.

Four bouts are scheduled to air tomorrow, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT, live from Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland. Two other fights may be shown, time permitting.

“The Final Call” is promoted in Poland by Polsat, as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, in addition to Main Events and Don King Productions.

Main Event — Vacant IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship (12)
TOMASZ ADAMEK (50-4, 30 KOs), Jersey City, New Jersey, USA 223.5 lbs.
vs.
ERIC MOLINA (24-3, 18 KOs), Raymondville, Texas, USA 231.7 lbs.

Co-Feature — Cruiserweights (10)
MICHAL CIESLAK (11-0, 7 KOs), Radom, Poland 199.5 lbs.
vs.
FRANCISCO PALACIOS (23-3, 14 KOs), Bayamon, Puerto Rico 198.4 lbs.

Heavyweights (10)
ANDRZEJ WAWRZYK (31-1, 17 KOs), Krakow, Poland 236.7 lbs.
vs.
MARCIN REKOWSKI (17-2, 14 KOs), Kaliska Koscierskie, Poland 227.7 lbs.

Cruiserweights (10)
MATEUSZ MASTERNAK (36-4, 26 KOs), Wroclaw, Poland 199 lbs.
vs.
ERIC FIELDS (24-3, 16 KOs), Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA 198.4 lbs.

Welterweights (10)
RAFAEL JACKIEWICZ (48-14-2, 22 KOs), Minsk Mazowiecki, Poland 146.8 lbs.
vs.
MICHAL SYROWATKA (13-1, 4 KOs), Elk, Poland 146.6 lbs.

Female European Boxing Union Lightweight Championship (8)
EWA BRODNICKA (10-0. 2 KOs), Champion, Warsaw, Poland 134.7 lbs.
vs.
ANITA TORTI (9-5, 3 KOs), Challenger, Milan, Italy 134 lbs.

KRAKOW, Poland (March 31, 2016) — The final press conference for this Saturday’s “The Final Call” pay-per-view event, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT, was held today. Below are fighters’ quotes.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the card in North America for live viewing on cable, satellite and Internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV, Shaw PPV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.GFL.tv and www.Eversport.TV (Polish commentary only), and via the FITE.TV app (or go to http://www.fite.tv/v/adamekvsmolina for more information) for both Android and iOS.

Four are scheduled to air live on PPV from Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland. Two other fights may be shown, time permitting.

“The Final Call” is promoted in Poland by Polsat, as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, in addition to Main Events and Don King Productions.

TOMASZ “Goral” ADAMEK: “I’ve had a great camp, great sparring partners and a great team around me. Kuba (Chycki – Adamek’s physical coach), trainer Roger Bloodworth – these guys did a great job in the last two months. As Eric said, ‘We are not about talking what we will do, we are ready to actually do it.’ Molina likes to mix it up, likes to throw punches, and is not afraid. This has to be a great fight just because of that. There’s no what’s after the Molina fight for me. This is the fight which will decide my future. A win means I’m on track for big fights, losing means I cannot do it anymore. What I know is that for this fight I’m much better prepared than I was for both the Glazkov and Szpilka bouts. But, of course, what happens in ring will verify our words.”

ERIC “Drummer Boy” MOLINA: “For the first time in my career I got 70 days to prepare; unprecedented in the heavyweight division. What do I know about Adamek? He’s a warrior and people in Poland expect great things from him because he’s a Polish boxing legend. In me, he will have a chance to fight one of the best heavyweights in the division and we all will know where we stand. I’m very confident, not only that I will win this war on Saturday, but also of being the first Mexican-American heavyweight in the future. People will get their money worth on Saturday. I can guarantee that. Adamek is highly rated by WBC and IBF, the two most active organizations in boxing. Saturday’s winner will be in the driver’s seat for great fights in the future.”

MICHAL CIESLAK: “I also thought that you’re bigger. And I also hope that everything what you’re saying about how good your training camp was is the truth. I can promise you that I will be ready for everything. I’m in the best shape of my life and I will prove that on Saturday. Palacios, be ready to fight! I cannot wait anymore to put on a big show.”

FRANCISCO “The Wizard” PALACIOS: “He wants to treat me like a stepping stone but the problem with that is I’m not a stepping stone for anyone. I’m a rock! You want to beat me, you have to kill me. And by the way, I thought that Cie?lak is bigger. You cannot judge what I can or cannot do just because I’ve got knocked out by Kudryashov in my last fight. It means nothing. First of all, it happens in boxing and the more importantly, it has nothing to do with what I’m ready to do now with my new team and “Chill” Wilson on my side. Just watch: The Wizard Time is coming again.”

Main Event — Vacant IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship (12)
TOMASZ “Goral” ADAMEK (50-4, 30 KOs), Former 2-Division World Champion, Jersey City, NJ, USA
vs.
ERIC “Drummer Boy” MOLINA (24-3, 18 KOs), World Title Challenger, Raymondville, Texas, USA

Co-Feature — Cruiserweights (10)
MICHAL CIESLAK (11-0, 7 KOs), Radom, Poland
vs.
FRANCISCO “The Wizard” PALACIOS (23-3, 14 KOs), 2-Time World Title Challenger, Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Heavyweights (10)
ANDRZEJ WAWRZYK (31-1, 17 KOs), World Title Challenger, Krakow, Poland
vs.
MARCIN REKOWSKI (17-2, 14 KOs), Former Poland Heavyweight Champion, Kaliska Koscierskie, Poland

Cruiserweights (10)
MATEUSZ “Master” MASTERNAK (36-4, 26 KOs), Former European Champion, Wroclaw, Poland
vs.
ERIC “Danger” FIELDS (24-3, 16 KOs), Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA

Welterweights (10)
RAFAEL “Braveheart” JACKIEWICZ (48-14-2, 22 KOs), World Title Challenger, Minsk Mazowiecki, Poland
vs.
MICHAL SYROWATKA (13-1, 4 KOs), Elk, Poland

Female European Boxing Union Lightweight Championship (8)
EWA BRODNICKA (10-0. 2 KOs), Champion, Warsaw, Poland
vs.
ANITA TORTI (9-5, 3 KOs), Challenger, Milan, Italy

PPV ANNOUNCERS: English – Bob Alexander and Glen Johnson, Polish – Andrzej Kostyra/Albert Sosnowski, Mateusz Borek (host & interviews), Przemek Saleta (on-air judge)

KRAKOW, Poland (March 27, 2016) – Texas heavyweight Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina has a unique opportunity April 2 to get back in position to challenge for the world title, as well as keep his dream alive of becoming the first Mexican-American world heavyweight champion.

The 6′ 4″, 240-pound Molina faces two-division world champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek in their 12-round pay-per-view showdown for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental heavyweight title, airing live (2:00 p.m. ET start) in North America from Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland.

Upset-minded Molina (24-3, 18 KOs), who lost his only world title shot last June to undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Deontay Wilder, has traveled to Poland on a mission to knock off Poland’s heavy favorite Adamek (50-4, 30 KOs).

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the card in North America residents on pay-per-view for live viewing at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on cable, satellite and Internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV, Shaw PPV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.GFL.tv and www.eversport.tv (Polish commentary only), plus via the FITE.TV app for both Android and iOS. This event is presented in Poland by Polsat, as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, as well as Main Events and Don King Productions.

“I’m at the point in my career where my back is against the wall,” the 34-year-old Molina said. “All I’ve ever known to do is bounce back and April 2nd I intend to do just that. My dream of becoming the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion continues April 2nd in Poland.”

Molina wobbled Wilder in the third round of a losing match via a left hook, followed by a right cross. During his eight-year professional career, Molina has defeated Tony Grano for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) championship, Warren Browning for the vacant WBC USNBC title, and Gabriel Holguin for the vacant WBC Latino crown.

The Apr. 2nd pay-per-view telecast will also include three potentially explosive 10-round bouts including the co-feature event between undefeated Polish cruiserweight prospect Michael Cieslak (11-0, 7 KOs) and two-time world title challenger Francisco “The Wizard” Palacios (23-3, 14 KOs), fighting out of Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Former world title challenger Andrzej Wawrzyk (31-1, 17 KOs) and Marcin Rekowski (17-2, 14 KOs) battle for Polish heavyweight bragging rights. Another world-class cruiserweight fight matches former European titlist Mateusz “Master” Masternak (36-4, 26 KOs) and Oklahoma underdog Eric “Danger” Fields (24-3, 16 KOs).

Two other fights may be shown, time permitting, as two-time European champion Rafal “Braveheart” Jackiewicz (48-14-2, 22 KOs) squares off against fellow Pole, welterweight Michal Syrowatka (13-1, 4 KOs), in a 10-round rematch. European female lightweight champion Ewa Brodnicka (10-0, 2 KOs), of Poland, defends her title against Italian champion Anota Torti (9-5, 3 KOs).

KRAKOW, Poland (March 23, 2016) – A solid, entertaining undercard has been announced for “The Final Call,” featuring two-division world champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek against former world title challenger Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina, airing live April 2 on pay-per-view in North America from Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland.

Adamek (50-4, 30 KOs), fighting out of Jersey City, NJ, and dangerous Texan foe Molina (24-3, 18 KOs) will battle in the 12-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental heavyweight title.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the card in North America residents on pay-per-view for live viewing at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on cable, satellite and Internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV, Shaw PPV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.GFL.tv and via the FITE.TV app for both Android and iOS. This event is presented in Poland by Polsat, as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, as well as Main Events and Don King Productions.

“Not only will passionate Polish fight enthusiasts in North America have an opportunity to watch some of Poland’s top fighters, including arguably its all-time best in Adamek, but American and Canadian boxing fans, in general, will be able to watch a full card featuring competitive, highly entertaining fights,” Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said. “We’re excited to be able to bring this tremendous card to North America and believe viewers will enjoy an afternoon of memorable boxing action.”

The Apr. 2nd pay-per-view telecast will also include three 10-round bouts showcasing three other world title challengers. The co-feature event matches undefeated Polish cruiserweight prospect Michael Cieslak (11-0, 7 KOs) against two-time world title challenger Francisco “The Wizard” Palacios (23-3, 14 KOs). Palacios, who fights out of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, went the complete distance twice in his pair of world title fights with WBC cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

A pair of Polish heavyweights square off in a scheduled 10-round match as Andrzej Wawrzyk (31-1, 17 KOs), whose lone loss as a professional was to world champion Alexander Povetkin in a 2013 world title fight, meets former Polish champion Marcin Rekowski (17-2, 14 KOs).

An additional world-class cruiserweight bout is on tap as former European titlist Mateusz “Master” Masternak (36-4, 26 KOs) takes on Oklahoma’s upset-minded Eric “Danger” Fields (24-3, 16 KOs). Masternak, another world contender from Poland, is ranked among the top 20 by all four major sanctioning bodies (WBA #10, IBF #14, WBO #15 and WBC #18). A former WBC Youth champion, Masternak captured the European cruiserweight title in 2012, and WBC International Silver championship a year later. In 2014, Masternak lost a 12-round split decision in an Interim WBA cruiserweight title fight, but last year he stopped Carlos Ailton Nascimento to capture the vacant WBA Inter-Continental crown.

Fields is a battle-tested veteran having defeated world champion Kelvin Davis and fought top contenders such as Ola Afolabi, Yunier Dorticos and Ilunga Makabu.

Two other fights may be shown, time permitting. Two-time European champion Rafal “Braveheart” Jackiewicz (48-14-2, 22 KOs) faces Polish welterweight Michal Syrowatka (13-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round rematch of their fight last December in which Jackiewicz, another Polish world title challenger, won by way of a fourth-round technical knockout. In a 10-round European female lightweight title fight, unbeaten defending champion Ewa Brodnicka (10-0, 2 KOs), of Poland, meets Italian champion Anota Torti (9-5, 3 KOs).

KRAKOW, Poland (March 17, 2016) – Arguably the greatest Polish fighter of all-time, two-division world champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek, will be in a crossroads fight April 2 vs. former world title challenger Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina, airing on pay per view in North America, live from Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland.

The 39-year-old Adamek (50-4, 30 KOs) should be inserted into the new heavyweight title mix with an impressive victory over Molina (24-3, 18 KOs), who gave World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Deontay Wilder a scare last June in the world title fight, in their International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental heavyweight showdown. Adamek, however, could possibly hang up his gloves for good if upset-minded Molina ruins the expected Polish celebration.

“I don’t want to just win,” Adamek said. “Along with my trainer, Roger Bloodworth, we want my fans to see a fighter who is in the ring to battle, not take a paycheck. My career is ending; no point of saving myself for the future. I will be in the ring to give people all I have. It’s a promise.”

North American residents will be able to purchase the fight for pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.Eversport.TV and via the FITE.TV app for both Android and iOS. This event is presented in Poland by Polsat, as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, as well as Main Events and Don King Productions.

Adamek has been a fan favorite throughout the boxing world since turning pro in 1999, not only in Poland but in America as well, primarily in Chicago and New Jersey markets, because he’s never in a bad fight. Adamek always gives fans their money’s worth, whether he was fighting as a light heavyweight, cruiserweight or heavyweight.

“I understand that this fight is on pay per view,” Adamek said. “Boxing fans want and deserve a fight they can be excited about. Styles make fights and knowing the way Eric fights, we can be sure that no one will be disappointed.”

Known and admired for his aggressive style and solid chin – Adamek has been stopped only once in 54 pro fights by the great Vitali Klitschko – Adamek fully embodies Polish Power and his passionate fans firmly remain in his corner. Sporting a 6-2 (3 KOs) record in world title fights, Adamek captured his first world title in 2005, taking a 12-round decision from Paul Briggs (23-1) for the vacant WBC light heavyweight crown. Adamek successfully defended his WBC 175-pound division twice, versus Thomas Ulrich (28-1) and in a rematch with Briggs.

In 2008, Adamek won a 12-round decision against defending IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham (21-1), followed by back-to-back title defense victories against undefeated challenger Jonathon Banks (20-0) and Bobby Gunn (21-3-1), respectively, by 8th and 4th-round technical knockouts.

Adamek then decided to move up to fight as a heavyweight, originally stopping fellow Pole and four-time world heavyweight title challenger Andrew Golota (41-7-1) in the 5th round for the vacant IBF International championship. Adamek went on to defeat 2004 US Olympian Jason Estrada (16-2), world title challengers Chris Arreola (28-1) and Michael Grant (46-3), tough Vinny Maddalone (33-6) and 1992 Irish Olympian Kevin McBride (35-8-1). Adamek, who added the NABO title belt to his collection with his win over Arreola, earned his first world heavyweight title shot September 10, 2011 versus reigning WBC champion Klitschko (42-2), who finished the game Pole in the 11th round.

Adamek rebounded with wins over quality heavyweight opponents such as Nagy Aguilera (17-6), Eddie Chambers (36-2), Travis Walker (38-7-1), Cunningham (25-4) again and Dominick Guinn (34-9-1). Adamek’s last fight was Sept. 26, 2015, in which he forced Przemyslaw Saleta (44-7) to retire after five rounds.

The Apr. 2nd pay-per-view telecast will also include several key undercard bouts, including a 10-round cruiserweight fights between world top-10 ranked contender and former European titlist Mateusz “Master” Masternak (36-4, 26 KOs) vs. Eric “Danger” Fields (24-3, 16 KOs) and Michael Cieslak (11-0, 7 KOs) vs. former two-time world title challenger Francisco “The Wizard” Palacios (23-3, 14 KOs). Additional PPV bouts will soon be announced.

Kraków, Poland: The upcoming heavyweight showdown between former light heavyweight and cruiserweight world champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek (50-4, 30 KOs) of Poland and Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina (24-3, 18 KOs) Raymondville, Texas in Kraków on Apr. 2 at the Kraków Arena for the IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title will be distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 2 pm ET/11 am PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view.

In addition to the live pay-per-view telecast in Poland as part of Polsat’s Boxing Night series, US residents will be able to purchase the fight for pay-per-view on via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or dish provider for more information. This event is presented by Polsat, Main Events and Don King Productions.

The pay-per-view telecast will also include several key undercard bouts: a 10-round cruiserweight fight between Mateusz Masternak vs. Eric Fields, a 10-round cruiserweight fight between Michael Cieslak vs. Francisco Palacios and additional bouts still to be determined.

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, Adamek’s promoter said, “Every time Tomasz fights back home in Poland we get numerous requests from his American fans who wish to watch the fight here. We are so excited to be able to provide them with an opportunity to watch this exciting fight here in the US.”

All bouts are subject to change.

Deontay Wilder made the first defense of the WBC Heavyweight title with a 9th round stoppage over Eric Molina at the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

In round three, Molina rocked Wilder with ahard left hook. In the end of round four, Wilder dropped Molina with a short left hook. In round five, Wilder landed a right hand that made Molina turn his back and then he was deposited on the deck from a left hand. Wilder then chased Molina croess the ring and dropped him again with a clubbing right.

In round nine, Wilder landed a perfect left hook that sent Molina flat on his back and the fight was stopped.

Wilder, 229 lbs of Tuscaloosa, AL is now 34-0 with 33 knockouts. Molina, 239 1/4 lbs of Rio Grande Valley, TX is 23-3.

Wilder landed 149 of 303 punches. Molina landed 49 of 188.

Jose Pedraza won the vacant IBF Jr. Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Andrey Klimov

Klimov suffered a mouse under his left eye in round five. Pedraza landed 272 punches of 750. Klimov was just 121 of 556.

Pedraza, 129 3/4 lbs of Cidra, PR won by scores of 119-109 and 120-108 twice and is now 20-0. Klimov, 129 lbs of Klimovar, RUS is 19-2.

Dejan Zalticanin scored a 4th round stoppage over Ivan Redkach in a battle of previously undefeated Lightweights in a bout scheduled for 12-rounds.

In round three, Redkach was cut over his left eye from an accidental headbutt. In round four, Zlaticanin droped Radkach with a huge left. Moments later, Zlaticanin landed ahug flurry on the ropes and the bout was stopped with Redkach covering up at 1:24 of round four.

Zlaticanin, 134 1/2 lbs of Popgordia, Montenegro is now 17-0 with 10 knockouts. Redkach, 134 1/2 lbs of Los Angeles, is 18-1-1.

Zlaticanin landed 49-144 punches. Redkach was 48-231.

Julian Williams remained undefeated by scoring a 6th round stoppage over Armen Ovsepyan in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Williams dropped Ovsepyan in round one with a quick right hand. Williams continued to dominate and staggered Ovsepyan several more times in the opening frame.

In round six, Williams opened up on Ovsepyan and unleashed a series of headhsots and the fight was stopped at 2:33 of round six.

Williams, 153 3/4 lbs of Philadelphia is 20-0-1-1 with 12 knockouts. Ovsepyan, 153 1/4 lbs of Glendale, CA is 14-5.

Williams landed 195-372 punches. Ovsepyan was 42-224.

Ahmed Elbiali scored a 1st round stoppage over Donta Woods in a scheduled 8-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Elbiali dropped Woods with a right hand in round one and the fight was stopped at 1:04.

Elbiai, 175 1/2 lbs of Miami is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Woods, 174 1/2 lbs of Atlanta is 8-5.