Bravo for Javier Molina!

Fighting on Ward-Bika undercard

Javier Molina, just 20 years old, is ready to shine Saturday night on the undercard of the Andre Ward-Sakio Bika main event at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The former amateur standout and 2008 U.S. Olympian has an unbeaten pro record of four wins and four knockouts. This weekend he’ll be facing Francisco Rios Gil (17-13, 12 KOs), an opponent with much more experience than him in the ring, but his team said he’s ready to step up.

I saw the Norwalk boxer last week at the Golden Boy Promotions’ “Fight Night Club” where his older brother and fellow fighter Carlos Molina fought to a unanimous decision victory. Javier was with boxers Erik Alvarez and Oscar Venegas and he said he was really looking forward to his upcoming bout. Molina, who trains in Commerce, will join other L.A. boxers like Stan Martyniouk and Matt Villanueva up north as the featured fighters on the card. After being hampered for a few months by a hand injury, Molina, nicknamed “El Intocable” (“The Untouchable”), came back in October with a first-round TKO over Marco Antonio Arauz. Javier, under Goossen Tutor Promotions, comes from a boxing lineage; his father Miguel was a boxer, his twin brother Oscar is a pro fighter too, along with their older brother, Carlos.

Right after their Thanksgiving holiday, Molina, trained by Robert Luna, and his manager, Arnulfo Bravo, have arrived in Oaktown ready to showcase the young pug’s talents in front of a world-wide audience. The Ward-Bika card is a “dual site” SHOWTIME doubleheader with the Arthur Abraham-Carl Froch clash also scheduled to air from Helsinki, Finland.

Before Team Molina departed for the weigh-in, I had a chance to catch up with Javier’s manager and cornerman for a conversation in which Bravo assessed his youthful protégé, who fought his last bout at junior middleweight. In the Beijing Olympics, the high schooler was the youngest member of the team competing in the international spotlight alongside superstars in the sports world.

His manager Bravo, a former amateur star and pro slugger himself, also has a second Olympic boxer, Shawn Estrada, in his Bravo Management company. Both of these talented Olympians have also fought back from injuries early in their professional careers. While still just in his early 30s, the manager has been around the sweet science for years and enjoys being involved in the sport he loves. And while his given name is Arnulfo, just like boxing sensations Tyson, Ali and Pacquiao–or singing icons Shakira, Beyonce and Madonna–everyone knows him by just one name–BRAVO!

Michele Chong: Hey Bravo, congrats on Javier being featured on the Ward-Bika card. He’s fighting someone just four years older than him–but with a lot more experience. Any extra challenge this time in training?

Arnulfo Bravo: Well, we took this fight knowing that I could put him in with any guy–any so called bum–but Javier is ready for more. And it will be six rounds. He’s actually the Co-Main and it’s his first six-rounder. He’s ready to shine–people will see that Saturday!

MC: You plan to keep him busy–and you’re back on track…

AB: Yes. Everything is working out great; both he and Shawn are back at 110%.

MC: That must have been a challenge with both Javier and Shawn’s injuries. But now the two are back–with Javier fighting Saturday.

AB: Javier was frustrated–but it’s given him time to develop and mature. He trains six days a week, and even with the hand injury he still trained hard. He is so talented; he’s gonna be a world champion.

AB: In your opinion, assess his skills in the ring.

MC: He looks like a veteran! He’s a technician, a great counter puncher, comfortable in the pocket. He comes forward but you can’t touch him! That’s how he got his nickname “The Untouchable.” (Laughs)

MC: Any predictions for this weekend?

AB: A win! That’s all I can say…And hopefully everyone tunes into SHOWTIME!

MC: You’re a former fighter. Do you think that gives you an edge as a boxing manager?

AB: Yeah, back in the day I fought at 112 pounds with Joe Goossen; I trained along with the Ruelas brothers (Gabe and Rafael) and Michael Nunn too. I know what a fighter wants. And I like to keep it real–good or bad–and I think people respect that.

MC: With your two boxers both being U.S. Olympians, do people constantly compare Molina and Estrada’s successes?

AB: They are both Olympians, so with this pedigree of boxers it can happen. But they’re both doing great, each with different personalities. With Javier, in the face-off they want him to make a “mean face,” to mad-dog his opponent but he just can’t do that! (Laughs) Now Shawn is another story. Javier’s the opposite of Shawn–BUT they’re the same animal inside the ring!

MC: And you’re very close to both fighters as well as the whole Molina family?

AB: Yes, his two brothers Oscar, Carlos, the whole Molina family is great; his mom and dad too. I am so blessed to know them.

MC: With Javier’s fight Saturday night, you’ll be leaving for the weigh-in right after Thanksgiving?

AB: We are gonna be able to celebrate Thanksgiving first…Although maybe just me, Javier is definitely not gonna have a big turkey feast. (Laughs)

MC: (Laughs) Okay, well have a safe trip and good luck in the fight, Bravo. Thanks again!

AB: Thank you and everyone watch SHOWTIME this Saturday!

For tickets: www.ticketmaster.com

Photo by Michele Chong (Alvarez, Venegas, Molina); Additional photos courtesy of BRAVO