Molina back in Cosmo ring month after draw with Lara

Carlos Molina didn't win his fight at the Cosmopolitan last month, but the junior middleweight from Chicago wound up victorious in the end.

While gaining a majority draw against Erislandy Lara on March 25, Molina looked so good that promoter Leon Margules invited him back to headline tonight's card at the Cosmo's outdoor Boulevard Pool against hard-hitting veteran Allen Conyers. The 10-round main event will be shown on ESPN2.

"I was hoping to get another fight here, but I didn't think it would be this soon," Molina said Thursday. "I was ready when they called. I've been in the gym the whole time."

After the original main event featuring Victor Cayo and Lamont Peterson fell through when Cayo injured his shoulder two weeks ago, Margules of Seminole Warriors Boxing tried to match Peterson against Tim Coleman. But Coleman didn't want the fight, so Margules called Molina (17-4-2, five knockouts).

"He's a pleasing fighter to watch," Margules said. "He did such a great job against Lara and won the fans over. Frankly, it was an easy call to make."

Molina wants to stay busy after sitting out 21 months during a contract dispute with his former promoter, Don King. The sides settled last month, giving Molina a chance to resume his career.

"It was very frustrating, not being able to make a living and pay my bills," said Molina, who went to work at his uncle's construction company. "But I never stopped training. I love being in the gym, and I kept a positive attitude.

"In the end, everything worked out for the best. I feel like I'm a better fighter now, even without being in the ring. Plus, I haven't been beaten up."

He'll be tested by Conyers (12-4, nine KOs), who will probably come out swinging and try to pressure Molina.

"He's a lot like me -- he's been an underdog in virtually every fight," Molina said. "He's a good fighter, and I'm sure he sees this as a big opportunity. But I'm just as hungry, and to me every fight is like a title fight, so I've been training to deal with his pressure. And one of my strengths is that I can adapt as the fight goes on."

A victory would probably mean bigger fights for Molina this summer.

"I've had offers already to fight in June and July," he said. "Hopefully, I can stay busy."

Other featured fighters on the card, which begins at 5 p.m., are Cuban super featherweight Rances Barthelemy (11-0, nine KOs) and lightweight Hylon Williams Jr. (13-0, three KOs) in separate bouts.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.