Skip to content
Home » Exclusive: Eric Molina opens talks with Anthony Joshua

Exclusive: Eric Molina opens talks with Anthony Joshua

  • by
  • 2 min read

Heavyweight contender Eric Molina has informed WBN that negotiations are underway for a December 10 clash against IBF champion Anthony Joshua.

The 34-year-old ‘Drummer Boy’ is fresh off two victories since losing to Deontay Wilder in June 2015 and is currently awaiting news from his team after accepting the fight from his side.

Joshua, 27, is in dire need of an opponent with just six weeks to go after being messed around somewhat by the possibility of facing Wladimir Klitschko, which ultimately cost him another eye-catching fight against Joseph Parker.

As Klitschko ruled himself out with a slight injury this week, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn drew up a two-person shortlist involving Molina and David Price, with the American landing the first bite of the cherry.

Anthony Joshua talks

“Negotiations have started for Joshua vs Molina, and I’m excited,” Molina exclusively told World Boxing News.

“Eddie Hearn has reached out to my handlers, who are now going over the logistics of a possible Joshua fight. These are just the beginning stages. But I am hopeful we can soon announce a fight.

“I will continue to train and prepare as if this fight has already been signed and made.”

On what kind of shape he’s in to take the encounter on relatively short notice, Molina added: “I had always been in the gym. But we have picked it up for two weeks or so.”

Should talks go well, and there seems to be no reason why not, Molina will bid to become the first man to put a dent in Joshua’s record since the 2012 Olympic gold medallist entered the paid ranks one year on from his London success.

Eric Molina is an underdog

In seventeen contests, Joshua has never been beyond seven rounds.

Molina is under no illusions about the task that could await him at Manchester Arena two weeks before Christmas.

“Let’s face it, Anthony Joshua is the most feared heavyweight on the planet,” pointed out Molina.

“To me, however, he’s just another man. While others at the top fear him and maneuver around him, a fighter like me doesn’t fear him.

“I embrace these types of fights. It’s not the first time I will have been involved in fights like these,” he added.

Follow experienced boxing writer Phil Jay on Twitter @PhilJWBN. Follow WBN: Facebook, Insta, Twitter