On Saturday, December 10, 2016, Anthony Joshua puts his IBF Heavyweight 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.
Joshua will take on veteran Eric Molina in a scheduled 12-round bout which will air live on Showtime at at 5:30 pm, EST.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Joshua vs. Molina and let us know who you think will win.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Anthony Joshua vs. Eric Molina
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
Not a bad opponent, considering the Wladimir Klitschko delay, but not a great opponent either for a guy who holds a major world title.
I see Anthony Joshua taking Eric Molina out within three rounds, à la Charles Martin. Nothing else to say, really. A blowout within three rounds.
Prediction: Joshua
Robert Contreras, Staff Writer
Prediction: Joshua
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
Anthony Joshua seems unstoppable. His power is just far too much for anyone he’s stepped in the ring with, and I don’t see a change in that against Eric Molina.
Molina may catch Joshua once or twice, as the Brit tends to leave himself open, but I don’t see it reaching the final bell.
Sixth-round TKO by Joshua.
Prediction: Joshua
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Joshua
Alan Garcia, Staff Writer
Although I never really paid too much attention to who Eric Molina was, upon reviewing his tapes, I had seen him fight before. I remember why he didn’t really catch my attention the first time I saw him fight. He’s too sloppy (I remember saying). And I still hold that to heart.
Molina is no doubt a tough guy who has a solid right hand and a lot to prove. But as tough as a man can be, being tough doesn’t get you an automatic win in boxing. In boxing you have to have more than a monster right hand. Especially when up against Anthony Joshua.
Joshua will be defending his IBF Heavyweight title for the third time in his career. If I was to compare Eric Molina to Anthony Joshua, there is no doubt in my mind that Joshua is the far superior fighter.
Joshua, although still gaining experience, is a compact fighter that packs power in both hands. He knows how to use his jab to set up his punches. Eric Molina preys on his opponent recklessly coming forward, in order for him to land his right-hand bomb against them.
Joshua doesn’t come in forward like most of Molina’s opponents. That alone is enough to negate Molina’s right hand, by keeping distance.
Although Joshua still has to remain careful in the exchanges, I don’t see Joshua having a tough time against Molina. I see a systematic breakdown over Molina that will end in a KO.
Prediction: Joshua
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
Apparently wins over Rodricka Ray and Tomasz Adamek were enough to put Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) in position to challenge for the IBF Heavyweight strap currently owned by big Brit, Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs).
While Joshua is an undefeated champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, his level of competition is less than stellar.
He acquired the title in April with a stoppage of Charles Martin who claims the shortest Heavyweight championship reign in history.
Molina has faced the tougher competition in sharing the ring with Deontay Wilder and Chris Arreola, albeit being stopped in both matches.
Molina briefly had Wilder doing the stanky leg courtesy of a left hook and brings that potential with him this Saturday against the exciting, if unproven champion Joshua.
It’s unlikely that there will be any revelations on either fighter with this matchup. Expect Joshua to pounce on the challenger and drum him with combinations along the ropes forcing a fourth-round stoppage.
Prediction: Joshua
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
Eric Molina will not be able to cope with the speed, power and size of Anthony Joshua. I like Joshua big by mid-round TKO. Hopefully Wladimir Klitschko is next as planned.
Prediction: Joshua
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
Eric Molina’s claim to fame is the fact that he hung around with WBC Heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, long enough that it won him some favor before ultimately getting stopped in the ninth.
Anthony Joshua is a different type of fighter than Wilder and I don’t see this fight lasting longer than two rounds.
Hopefully, it’s on to bigger and better opponents for Joshua that actually threaten his title.
Prediction: Joshua
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
How many bum sauce American Heavyweights can you drop and stop in one year? Three.
Prediction: Joshua
All photos by Lawrence Lustig/Matchroom Boxing
