Molina tames opponent, wind in return to ring
Carlos Molina hadn’t won a fight in more than two years. But the way he looked Friday, he might have laid the groundwork for a lot of future success.
The junior middleweight from Chicago dominated outside at the Cosmopolitan’s windy Boulevard Pool, working over Allen Conyers for six-plus rounds until referee Tony Weeks stopped the fight 2:09 into the seventh round.
“I was trying to time him, and I was able to counter effectively,” said Molina, who last won in June 2009 and was fighting for only the second time in 22 months after a contract dispute with former promoter Don King kept him out of the ring. “I felt a lot sharper, and it was a good win.”
Molina (18-4-2) worked the body, hurting Conyers with solid lefts and rights. And when Conyers dropped his right hand, which was often, Molina came over the top and caught him with big left hooks.
“I just boxed the guy,” Molina said. “I didn’t really have to do anything but follow the game plan.”
Conyers (12-5) never got going offensively. Known as a big puncher, he kept his arsenal under wraps and never threatened Molina.
His lone bright spot came early in the fourth round when he hit Molina with a glancing right hand and, as Molina was backing up, the 30 mph wind whipping through the pool area caused him to lose his balance and Molina’s glove touched the canvas, resulting in a knockdown.
But he wasn’t hurt and punished Conyers the rest of the round. When Weeks stopped the fight, Molina was ahead on all three scorecards, 59-55.
“I really didn’t feel the wind,” Molina said. “It may have bothered him. But I had no problem being outside.”
Molina said he hopes to fight again by early June.
“I’ve got a little momentum going right now. I need to stay busy,” he said.
On the undercard, Hylon Williams Jr. dominated Marcos Herrera and won their eight-round lightweight bout by unanimous decision (79-73, 79-73, 77-75) to improve to 16-0.
Cuban super featherweight Rances Barthelemy improved to 12-0 with a second-round technical knockout of Las Vegan Rynell Griffin.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.