FORMER champion Victor Ortiz will fight John Molina on September 30 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.
“John Molina Jr. is an amazing warrior just like myself. He’s got a huge heart and he’s not going to back down and neither will I. It’s going to be a great fight,” Ortiz said. “John and I have known each other for many years. I’m not one to bad mouth anybody but especially this guy. We’re in this to go to war on September 30. I fight violently and I can’t change that. I hope at the end of the day it gives people a fun showdown.
“John Molina Jr. actually told me at the Mayweather vs. McGregor press conference that he was moving up to 147 and I better get out of the way, so it’s funny now that we’re facing-off. We have a lot of mutual respect for each other. It doesn’t change anything though, we’re going to go out there and give it our all.”
“I’m happy to be back in this position as the main event and for it to be in Southern California is even better. I’m humbled to have this opportunity,” he continued. “I still feel strong and powerful and I’m not going to waste this time I have to still compete at the highest level. I’m ready to go out there and put on another war for the fans.”
British Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce will box Iago Kiladze on the undercard. “I have a plan, and a goal to get where I want to be to win a world title. I’ve settled into Big Bear to train and it’s like my second home. I’m looking forward to making my US debut on September 30,” Joyce said. “I’m going to show the American fans my style and put on a really good show and a strong performance. Stay tuned and watch my progression here in the US, because I’m going to be heavyweight champion of the world.”
“I’ve looked at Kiladze’s record and he has a good knockout percentage and he has a lot of good experience. He’s a strong guy but I’m just going to have to look a little more closely and work out his strengths and weaknesses and capitalize on that,” he continued.
“I have a lot of really good sparring up in Big Bear for the next couple weeks and it’s going to get me ready for September 30. It’s a different structure and tempo in Big Bear than it was in the UK. It took a bit of time to adjust but now I feel comfortable and I feel like I fit into the group of boxers we have there. I see myself progressing and getting even stronger.”
