Lists

Staff Predictions | Terence Crawford vs. John Molina

Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Terence Crawford vs. John Molina and let us know who you think will win.

terence-crawford-vs-john-molina-mikey-williams-top-rank

On Saturday, December 10, 2016, HBO World Championship Boxing will air a championship bout between undefeated Jr. Welterweight titlist Terence Crawford and John Molina Jr.

The bout will air live at 9:35 pm, EST/PST. Molina is coming off a career-best win, in June, over Russian brawler Ruslan Provodnikov. But, Crawford–who is considered one of the best fighter pound for pound, presents a different challenge.

Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Crawford vs. Molina and let us know who you think will win.

Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020

NameWinLossTotal FightsWin Percentage
Alex Burgos3360.5
Hans Themistode4260.66666666666667
R.L. Woodson4150.8
Robert Contreras6061


Terence Crawford vs. John Molina

crawford-vs-molina-mikey-williams-top-rank

Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer

I believe Terence Crawford will dominate from the get-go, and get a stoppage in the latter half of the fight. His ability to switch hit, his fluidity, and his overall skill set is far greater than his opponent’s arsenal.

John Molina is better suited to stationary, offensive fighters whose attacks come in straight lines, so I see him having a real hard time trying to tag Crawford, who will counter him in the process, and break him down.

Therefore, I see Crawford winning via stoppage.

Prediction: Crawford

 

Robert Contreras, Staff Writer

John Molina earned this fight. Terence Crawford vs. Ruslan Provodnikov was the fight to make and Molina brushed him aside.

Still, there’s just levels between the two. Crawford is a two-division lineal champion, in possession of a skill set as complete as any boxer of the last decade–fighting from both stances, interchanging seamlessly between brawler and boxer.

Molina can scrap too doe. But that will do him in. Crawford TKO 6.

Prediction: Crawford

 

Jack O’Connell

I think I’m one of the few people that actually really enjoy this matchup. Granted, I know Terence Crawford is going to dominate as usual, but it should be a good scrap regardless.

John Molina Jr. is one of the few nice guys in boxing. He’ll fight anyone you throw at him, and he makes for action fights. He’s not by any standard a fantastic boxer–he’s sloppy and easy to hit. But at the end of the day, Molina puts on shows, hence “The Gladiator” nickname.

Crawford can put on a show too, a technical show. He’s truly a phenomenal outside boxer. His reach, height and footwork assures that he can nail you before you can even react.

Molina is coming for the knockout. Crawford might go for the knockout. All I can expect, though, is 100 percent from John Molina Jr., and a 100 percent performance from Terence Crawford. Expect a masterclass in jabbing by Crawford.

Prediction: Crawford

 

CJ Halloran, Staff Writer

I have to go with Terence Crawford for this one. The guy’s a beast, he’s steamrolled skillful opponents and made them look like amateurs in doing so, and I can’t see this going any different against John Molina.

I say “Bud” wins by clear, but smart UD.

Prediction: Crawford

 

Amber Williams, Photographer

Prediction: Crawford

 

Alan Garcia, Staff Writer

A fight between Terence Crawford and John Molina isn’t too hard to predict. Molina is coming off a win against the exciting, come-forward Russian fighter, Ruslan Provodnikov. Although Molina had a handicap weight advantage over the Russian fighter, he was still able to outbox him all the way to a decision victory.

John Molina has all the tools to give any good fighter a hard time, therefore, I see him starting off in a measured, calm and technical pace against Crawford. However, I can’t see Molina doing enough to keep Crawford at a distance long enough before Crawford starts landing his shots and begins to take control of the fight.

Crawford’s accurate punches will start to become more evident as the fight drags on. It’s not going to be a walk in the park for Molina, especially if he doesn’t come in fully prepared with a plan B and C. Even with three game plans, I still speculate a very tough fight for Molina.

I predict this fight to be an entertaining boxing clinic from both men, giving Crawford the edge. It wont surprise me if there’s a late-round knockout and it won’t surprise me if it also goes the distance. To Molina’s credit, he’s a tough-as-nails man who won’t easily succumb to anybody—especially when he’ll be fighting for Crawford’s 140-pound WBC and WBO title belts that will be on the line, come Saturday night.

Prediction: Crawford

 

Michael Burnell, Staff Writer

Terence “Bud” Crawford’s (29-0, 20 KOs) pleasing hybrid style of boxer/puncher against John Molina (29-6-2, 23 KOs) and his strongman, somewhat slugging approach should produce some excitement in this Saturday’s clash for Crawford’s WBO/WBC Super Lightweight belts.

Molina has a 2 ½ inch advantage in height and an inch in reach while Crawford is four years younger and has less mileage on his treads.

Both fighters have been in with tough, quality opposition and are fairly even as that relates to their professional careers.

The obvious difference is that Molina absorbed losses to Humberto Soto, Adrien Broner and Lucas Matthysse in three of his last five fights. To his credit, he outlasted the tough Ruslan Provodnikov in his most recent outing.

Crawford has been far more consistent with convincing, decisive wins over Ricky Burns, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Viktor Postol to name a few.

It will be an entertaining clash and Molina will land enough to keep Crawford honest until “Bud” grinds him down for a late-round stoppage and receives a rabid hometown ovation.

Prediction: Crawford

 

Brandon Glass, Staff Writer

John Molina is coming off a decision win over Ruslan Provodnikov–the most notable win of his career–which earned him a shot at Terence Crawford. While Molina is a solid puncher with a lot experience, he’s limited in terms of facing Crawford, who is exponentially more talented.

Sadly, I still consider this a showcase fight for “Bud” Crawford. Unless Molina can catch slow-starting Crawford with something meaningful early, the fight will become increasingly one-sided with each passing round. In fact, I see Crawford getting a late-round stoppage.

 

Prediction: Crawford

 

Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief

Don’t really mind this fight because Terence Crawford is coming off of a big title-unification win against Viktor Postol where he made the former WBC champion look like a novice.

As far as this fight is concerened, Crawford is elite and John Molina is not. Simple as that. Let’s see what’s next for Crawford in 2017.

Prediction: Crawford

 

All photos by Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Comments
To Top