IBF Heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua and American challenger Eric Molina met for their final press conference on Thursday in Manchester, England, as they prepare to square off this Saturday at Manchester Arena live on Showtime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGl4A9OFw-A
The presentation originates from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, site of that evening’s Showtime telecast. Deontay Wilder will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi as part of the announce team for Joshua vs. Molina.
“It’s not so much about who I’m fighting, it’s about myself,” Joshua told the British press. “I’m not really worried about what Eric’s camp is doing. God willing I go out there to do my job. I’m just really worried about myself. I’ll make Eric look like a novice.”
Molina said he wants to duplicate the feat of his long-time mentor Oliver McCall, who in 1994 upset Lennox Lewis for the WBC Heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium in London. “I always envision myself having that moment that he had here in England,” Molina said. “He had that big win and it just shows the world that in this heavyweight division anything is possible.”
Added Molina: “If you slip-up one second you’ll be dancing and the world will be talking.”
Undefeated sensation and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) will make the second defense of his title against Molina (25-3 19 KOs), a Texas native getting his second shot at a belt in his quest to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.
An encore presentation of Joshua vs. Molina will air as part of the telecast later that evening, following the main event showdown between Jesus Cuellar and Abner Mares. In the co-feature, Jermall Charlo goes against fellow-undefeated fighter Julian Williams.
