Expectations are bordering at a fever pitch for the Goossen Tutor Promotions main event televised live on ESPN “Friday Night Fights” series on Friday, June 7, 2013 that features Lightweight world contenders John Molina and Andrey Klimov with the winner in line for the next step toward a world championship fight.
The always dangerous NABO champion Molina (25-2, 20 KOs) collides with Russia’s equally perilous Klimov (15-0, 8 KOs) at the Little Creek Casino Resort in the town of Shelton, Washington. Also, Super-Middleweights Farrah Ennis (20-1, 12 KOs) of Philadelphia meets North Carolina’s Anthony Hanshaw (23-2-2, 14 KOs) in another bout catapulting the winner to world contender status.
Doors open at 6 PM with the first bout starting at 6:30 PM and the live ESPN2 broadcast beginning 7 PM Pacific Time (10 PM Eastern).
All four fighters have the ESPN stage to prove their point in earning a world title opportunity. With so much at stake for the fighters, it doesn’t get better than this for the fans, having it all on the line for the two main bouts. Molina knows a victory over Klimov leads directly to a showdown with one of he world champions.
Molina has even more at risk in providing a good performance, and that is regaining the respect from his previous world title bid and realizes he needs to be focused on regaining his top world-class status against Klimov – but he certainly chose a tough nut to demonstrate it.
“As of right now everything in camp is the mindset that is purely on Klimov. I know him and I know sometimes fighters like Klimov go under the radar with the fans and television executives because he’s from Russia and not seen here in America often. But in beating him it will take a great performance from me, and I’m prepared to do just that,” said Molina, 30, who lives in Covina, California.
Klimov has studied Molina and though the Russian fighter has knockout power, he plans to use all of his weapons. “I will box and stay out of a straight line, and try to move in and out on him,” said Klimov, who had an extensive and very successful amateur career. “I will not look for a knockout. I’m ready to go at the same pace for all 10 rounds, if it goes the distance. My ultimate goal would be to fight for the championship of the world. I never duck anybody and fight whoever is put in front of me and now it’s in my hands to beat Molina impressively so everyone knows who I am.”
Molina doesn’t care how the fight ends as long as his hand is raised. “The fight plan is to go out there and look impressive. Control the fight,” exclaims Molina. “If it goes the distance, we’re ready. If a knock out comes, we’ll jump all over it.”
Also ready to jump to the next level are Ennis and Hanshaw.
“I’m a smart boxer puncher. I also can be a blood in guts type of fighter. I love to entertain,” said Ennis, 30. “I’m here and ready and willing to fight the best in the division to get a world title and Hanshaw has some impressive credentials for me to utilize to my advantage.”
The one-time ‘can’t miss’ prospect Hanshaw has come ever so close to winning a world title with a decision loss to future Hall of Famer, Roy Jones Jr. and a draw against former #1 world contender, Jean-Paul Mendy. But time is running out on the former top American amateur.
“I’ve worked very hard to get back to this point and failure is not an option,” said Hanshaw, 35. “After I put the final nail in Farah’s casket, I’ll look for a shot at Andre Ward to concrete my name in boxing history.”