Boxing preview and odds: Anthony Joshua vs Eric Molina

Published on: 09/12/2016

Boxing preview and odds: Anthony Joshua vs Eric Molina

December 10, 2016 10:30pm - Manchester Arena

IBF World Heavyweight Championship

Anthony Joshua will look to retain his IBF world heavyweight title when he goes up against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.

Unbeaten champ making second title defence

Unbeaten IBF World Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will be defending his IBF crown for a second time when he walks out in Manchester this weekend. The 27-year-old stopped American Dominic Breazeale back in June and was due to face Wladimir Klitschko next, but that fight has now been delayed until next year. Instead, he will square up to American Eric Molina, who impressed in a dramatic WBC defeat to Deontay Wilder last year before beating former world champion Tomasz Adamek back in in April.

Joshua has now notched up an incredible 17-straight knockouts, 15 of which have come inside three rounds. However, last time out, Dominic Breazeale became the second fighter in three contests to take the Brit to seven rounds. This weekend`s fight marks another step up in class for the reigning champ who could be tested over a longer distance yet again.

Meanwhile, Molina comes into this fight with all to play for as he looks to stop the next big thing in his tracks. The American has been knocked out three times in his career including a couple of first-round embarrassments but has bounced back to show some true quality, particularly in his nine-round battle against WBC champ Deontay Wilder last June.

Molina spent some time on the deck in that fight but also gave plenty and it took a monumental effort from Wilder to overcome the Drummer Boy. He will be out to frustrate his opponent in a similar way in this contest but will need to show even more resolve if he is going last anywhere near that distance.

Form:

Joshua: 17 - 0 - 0

Molina: 25 - 3 - 0

Betting odds and tips

This fight is expected to be just another stepping stone for Joshua but he has now reached the point where knockouts are no longer a formality. He will need to be at his tactical and technical best and will be relying on the guidance of Team GB Performance Director Rob McCracken.

Molina should have enough experience to take this fight beyond the five round mark but no one has ever taken Joshua past seven rounds and that is unlikely to change on Saturday night.

This should be a great contest but unless the challenger can rattle the champ early on, he can be expected to succumb to his opponent`s superior power towards the halfway point.

You can back Over 4.5 Rounds at 11/8 or for an even better price back Anthony Joshua /Round 4-6 at 9/4 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 09/12/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (09/12/2016 13:20:43) but are subject to change.