NEW Interview All About Matthysse Fight & More
“Boxing is not a game! We risk a lot when we fight. And I’m all heart and determination.” – John Molina Jr.
It was a brutal war of attrition last Saturday night as knockout artist Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (34-3, 33 KOs) locked horns with John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. (27-4, 22 KOs) at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The battle for the WBC Continental Americas Light Welterweight belt aired live on Showtime and was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. The night featured the main event of Keith Thurman vs. Julio Diaz but this Matthysse-Molina rumble is the one that got all the buzz after the final bell.
Leading up to the bout, the critics and fans pegged the Argentinean sledgehammer Matthysse as the heavy favorite with many not giving SoCal boxer Molina much of a chance as they remembered his brief and awkward ending in the Antonio DeMarco fight. But when the bell rang in Carson, this pair of 31-year-old punches went mano a mano. It was pure adrenaline with fists flying, flesh and bone clashing and hearts pounding for eleven rounds. During the thrilling slugfest, both men scored two knockdowns apiece and the TV announcers had the lead switching several times. But after ten rugged rounds, John Molina was finally stopped in Round 11 by referee Pat Russell.
At the time of the stoppage, the official scores were 94-92 (Max DeLuca), 95-91 (Raul Caiz Sr.) and 97-90 (Chris Tellez) all for Matthysse. But for Molina who suffered this KO loss, this bout was actually one he considers a moral victory. He never gave up or gave in, proving he can face the best in his division and put his name on the map.
Saturday’s fight was not for the faint of heart. It was an instant classic in the same vein as Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo, Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez, Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward. During rounds, I was texting friends and all I could write was “OMG “over and over. I must have texted OMG (and OMFG) 20 times during the Matthysse-Molina clash. It was that crazy, that good and, arguably, THE “Fight of the Year” winner thus far heading into the month of May. The two banged away at each other with wild abandon. They really left it all in the ring–the definition of a blood-and-guts all-out war.
I’ve known John for years and I couldn’t wait to hear all of his thoughts about this fight. A day after his fight, I contacted him immediately and we set aside time to chat. Molina remains one of the most down-to-earth, self-effacing fighters you will ever meet. He is known as a nice guy, humble and even keel. During our in-depth interview, I only noticed Johnny’s voice rise and get tense with emotion twice. Once when he explained–and defended–his trainer Joe Goossen’s actions after the Round 10 (many thought the fight should be stopped) and the second time when he addressed how any “haters” or naysayers have only made him stronger.
Molina, who fights under Goossen Tutor Promotions, answered all my questions directly and honestly. Although before our chat got underway, a pizza pie almost got in the way. I had called him at our assigned time to talk and as we started chatting, he said suddenly, “Oh, wait. Can you call me back in 15 minutes?”
“Okay, no problem,” I replied. “I’ll call you in a little while if now’s not a good time.”
“It’ll be fine I’m just picking up pizza but I’m heading home now,” he said with a chuckle.
“Oh, in that case, I’ll give you a half hour,” I said.
And that’s John Molina. The guy who still picks up his own pizza; no handlers or entourage for this laid-back Southern California resident. A longtime fixture in the City of Covina, John, his wife Neda and their toddler Raenah recently moved to San Dimas. But John says he will always be representing Covina. He also made another big change when the one and only Al Haymon, boxing’s famed advisor met with John. The powerful advisor is now in the corner of the lanky junior welterweight.
So after he polished off some pizza, we resumed our conversation. Hear John’s opinions on why Saturday’s bout (even in defeat) was a morale booster for him, his opinion on going out on his shield and why he wanted to go back out in the 11th round after taking a lot of punishment from Matthysse. And he also reveals what really happened to him in the Antonio DeMarco match!
Michele Chong: So it’s been less than 48 hours since your fight. Thanks for taking time to talk. You were the underdog in the fight and you certainly lived up to your nickname of “The Gladiator.” Have you had time to watch a replay of your fight yet?
John Molina: Yeah, I’ve watched the majority of it. And even though I lost, it’s still a ‘victory’ for me in what I did. It was a war.
MC: What’s in your immediate future now?
JM: I’ll be going to Vegas for the Mayweather fight this Saturday. I’m gonna run next week and then be back in the gym after that. I’m hoping to fight again in the next three or four months.
MC: When you were training for the Matthysse fight, did you read all the social media stuff and reports about what a big underdog you were considered heading into the fight. Because of your DeMarco fight, some people didn’t give you much credit. And that’s why the Matthysse fight was so dramatic because people assumed the fight was gonna be one way and you completely proved almost everybody wrong.
JM: I do hear the naysayers but it doesn’t bother me. I always say I’m “learning on the job.” So I wanted to show everyone that I’m one of the best at 140 in the world. I didn’t win that night but I would love to get it on with Lucas Matthysse again, if need be.
MC: I think everybody has a different opinion of you now after Saturday night. If you’re in another fight, the fans are gonna wanna tune in. One punch, one performance can change everything. This time you didn’t win but you’ve won thousands of new fans. And you’re with Al Haymon now. How have things changed for you especially after Saturday’s fight?
JM: It was the fight I needed; now my career starts! I wanna be on the big stage. Being with Al Haymon has been great. He sees things from a fighter’s stand point. And Al Haymon has helped me get to where I want to be. People say this and that but he’s the real deal; he makes things happen. He’s an advocate for the fighters. And I’m here to stay at 140.
MC: The 140 division is packed. Who do you want to face in the future?
JM: I’m gonna stay at 140 but if Al Haymon has a fight at 147 I’d go to 47. I’m a big junior welterweight. (Laughs) And I showed that my power is better at 140. I’d like to fight
Lamont Peterson, Lucas Matthysse again, Danny Garcia, maybe Amir Khan. And Adrien Broner; I still believe that fight will happen. I’m excited to face anyone in the future and I want to show the fans I’m a true warrior!
MC: For fans that weren’t familiar with you before the Matthysse fights, SoCal fans know you from local fights. You trained with Ben Lira, Robert Garcia and you’ve reconnected with Joe Goossen. Sounds like things are connecting on all cylinders now. Was this camp any different training with Joe?
JM: It was a great camp! Sparring went well. And I really feel like right now, my career begins.
MC: Saturday was a vicious war. An instant classic, a nail biter. All the cliches. (Laughs) You started out well, you scored the knockdowns. When did you feel the tide turning and not necessarily in your favor? And as we know in your fights with Mickey Bey and Hank Lundy, you can change things with one punch…
JM: Matthysse is a hard puncher but I think I took his shots very well. But when you fight at this level of fighters, things can change. I made a mistake and he capitalized on it. And he got the job done. Do I think the fight should have been stopped? NO…For me personally, I still had my wits about me. But I’m not gonna complain about Pat Russell stopping the fight. He has to do his job. And it’s my job to fight. For me, I didn’t feel the tide turn so much. It was a good fight and I really enjoyed it every minute of it!
MC: (Laughs) Oh my God…You ENJOYED every minute of it? I wouldn’t mind hitting someone but GETTING HIT is another thing. (Laughs) But you actually enjoyed it?
JM: Yes! (Laughs) He hits hard but I think boxing needs fights like this. Boxing is not a game! We risk a lot when we fight. And I’m all heart and determination. I think the fans appreciated it, I think the media appreciated it. And I showed people I do belong at 140!
MC: After the 10th round, things got a little hectic in your corner. And with Joe Goossen (known for his work with Diego Corrales), it didn’t surprise me that he would send you back out there. But a lot of critics questioned that. I knew you’d go out on your shield but if, for some reason, the officials and CSAC had continued to object and Joe HAD stopped the fight, would you feel the same way that you do now with your “moral victory”?
JM: No, no, no…Joe knows me well. He knows IF AND WHEN a fight should be stopped. I’ve seen Joe more than anyone; every day, 6 days a week. He knows what’s going on in my head; he knows if there’s a “cloudiness.” He knows my chin. Joe did his job. He knew what he was doing by sending me out there. He knows me so well. He would never put me in danger.
I thought I was good. Joe has my best interests at heart. That’s why he’s employed and that’s why I’m proud to call him my trainer. And he’s a Hall of Famer trainer at that. Joe is the pilot in charge and he’s not gonna let me be in harm’s way. I have a great chin; a good head on my shoulders. And I wanna watch my little girl grow up!
MC: I admire the respect you have for your coach. Your fight was brutal; it was insane! But what was remarkable was after the fight, you seemed so upbeat and unaffected in your post-fight interview. After all the shots you both took in the ring, you seemed fine right after the fight. Most people would be concussed and headed to the hospital!
JM: Thank you for saying that–I do have a positive attitude! Life is too short to be stressed. I get paid to do what I love to do. And I have a great family and great people around me in my wife, my best friend, my handlers and advisor. And you know, it’s just what’s instilled in me. I think I have something that some people may not have. I have a huge heart and will and determination. I have a chin but I knew the naysayers would expect me to go down. And the thing about the DeMarco fight is that I got a massage in the dressing room and my legs weren’t what they were supposed to be. But I think everyone knows now I have a granite chin and I can punch. And this is what we do for a living. Matthysse said I was the hardest puncher he’s faced. He’s a good guy and if he wants to do it again, we will. I told him, “Let’s do this again next week.” He looked at me and said, “Okay, but maybe not next week!” (Laughs)
I’m really excited about the future and I’m not disappointed. And I hope the fans are excited too. Now they know that whenever I fight it will be entertaining!
MC: It was non-stop action. So I gotta ask you, with all due respect, after tasting Matthysse’s power did you have to go to the hospital to be checked for anything? I know a lot of times the fighters will go for precautionary measures after a rough fight.
JM: Oh no, I didn’t have to go to the hospital…I was checked by a doctor and everything was fine. They had to put a couple of staples in my head, but everything was fine. I feel normal maybe just a little sore. But that happens after every fight. After the fight, I had the normal examination there and then went home and went to sleep!
MC: I’ve known you for a long time and you have a great supportive wife and family. Your father John Molina Sr. is one of your cornermen. So how did your wife, sisters and parents recuperate after watching your fight? (Laughs) What was their reaction?
JM: Of course my wife is gonna be a little uneasy watching me fight and I would feel the same way. But she knows this is my job. I get paid to do this and I chose to do this. Their reaction was…(Laughs)…Well, how would you feel watching your loved one hit and get hit? But my wife enjoys it, she knows it’s what I do. I’ve done well and boxing’s been nothing but good to me. I will never disrespect it. I always give 110% and I always wanna give the fans my all.
I’ve heard them call me the “new” Arturo Gatti and that guy was a hell of a fighter so I have no problem taking that title. My wife and my mother and my sisters were all good. They knew what we had signed up for! I felt that I did my job. Matthysse has good power but I felt I was right there with him.
MC: It was a back-and-forth war. You have a little girl (Raenah, 1 1/2 years old). At what age will you let her watch your fights?
JM: She can watch them now–but only at home. I don’t want her to be there in person yet with the crowd. Raenah is the apple of my eye. She’s the reason I do what I do! And she’s a little genius. (Laughs) She was talking and walking at 9 months. But I want her to watch so we can explain what I do. And now whenever she sees a boxer on TV she thinks it’s me and says, “Da Da! Da Da! Boom! Boom BOOM!” (Laughs)
MC: (Laughs) You know, I remember your early fights at the Quiet Cannon. And also you only had a handful of amateur bouts. How old were you when you started boxing?
JM: I started boxing at 10 years old and then hung up the gloves immediately. (Laughs) And then I started boxing again at 16. I only had 22 amateur bouts. I got my start as a pro fighting at Quiet Cannon where Nonito Donaire and Israel Vazquez fought early in their careers too. I had a big Teamsters following. I loved it! And remembering those days to where I am now is great.
MC: You’ve been through a lot during your career. What are your thoughts about your longtime supporters?
JM: To the people that always believed in me: Thank You. And to the people that NEVER believed in me: Thank You. To the people that thought I was gonna get “blown out” in the fight: Thank You! For the motivation and determination. I was determined to show you guys what I can do. I belong in the ring with these guys. To everybody, the believers AND the non-believers, thank you. And to the loyal fans, thank you for following me! I promise every time I get in the ring, you guys are gonna see nothing short but a barn burner. I guarantee you that!
MC: And you are looking to face the best in the world?
JM: Yes, I have championship dreams. I don’t feel like my actual chronological age. I’ll be 32 on December 28; some of the internet has it December 2 but that’s wrong.
MC: Well, you’re now known as “The Gladiator” so the boxing fans will definitely be watching for your next fight! So who chose that nickname for you?
JM: I’ve been “The Gladiator” for a while but the media has picked up on it and it spread like wild fire. I actually gave the nickname to myself after watching that movie. I’ve always liked that movie and it’s “Never Say Die” message–I’ll 
ALWAYS go out on my shield.
MC: You proved that in Saturday’s fight. Good luck to you in the future and thanks again for your time. Oh, and now you can finish your pizza! (Laughs)
JM: Yeah, I’m gonna grab another slice…Not ‘cuz I’m hungry but because I don’t have to make weight! (Laughs) Thank you, Michele!
John Molina Jr. (“The Gladiator”) proved he has a steel chin and a heart just as strong. He reiterates that he is where he’s supposed to be–happy fighting at 140 and happy that his career (as he says) is really beginning now.
It was “The Machine” vs. “The Gladiator.” One for the ages.
He may have not won the war at the StubHub Center but in the battle Johnny claimed a personal victory–even in defeat.
The Lucas Matthysse vs. John Molina fight is now etched in the boxing fan’s memory for years to come.
Photos by Marlene Marquez