Anthony Joshua vs Eric Molina LIVE updates as Brit wins in third round to set up Wladimir Klitschko super fight
Anthony Joshua makes the second defence of his world heavyweight title tonight against challenger Eric Molina.
Joshua has barely put a foot wrong since turning professional in 2013 and will be confident of winning his 18th successive fight.
He has so far knocked out each of his opponents and Molina is expected to go the same way in Manchester.
The American has failed at the top level before - succumbing to hard-hitting Deontay Wilder - but has promised to put up a fight.
On the undercard, Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte will settle their rivalry after a bitter build-up.
The fight was on the verge of being cancelled after Chisora threw a table at his opponent at the press conference, but in the end he got away with a two-year suspended ban and a £25,000 fine.
You can follow all the action from the Manchester Arena with Mirror Sport .
KEY EVENTS
Haye tips AJ to beat Wlad
He’ll have been 18 months out of the ring. It’s terrible preparation.The only thing I worry about is the lack of punch volume in his last fight.When he needed to throw in his last fight, the gas tank was empty. I believe this is the perfect time for AJ.I believe he’s too young and too fresh.
“The fans want it. You’ve got the man in world boxing against a legend in heavyweight boxing,” says Hearn.
“It’s the biggest fight in British boxing history,” Hearn adds.
“Shall we question what Klitschko has got left? He’s got bags of experience over AJ, but what has he got left?” Says Froch.
KEY EVENT
Hearn announces AJ vs Wlad
“I’d like to officially announce Anthony Joshua against Wladimir Klitschko April 20 live at Wembley Stadium and exclusive on Sky Box Office for the unified heavyweight championship of the world,” said Eddie Hearn.
“He is the best man in the division, and I believe the excitement speaks for itself. There’s no doubt this fight has to happen,” says Klitschko. “Congratulations to AJ, I’m looking forward to the fight in April.”
“I can’t reveal [how I beat Klitschko],” says AJ.
AJ on the win
No disasters tonight. That’s heavyweight boxing.We’ll get back to the drawing board in 2017.[On Molina’s negative tactics] There’s nothing you can do. It’s hard. Somebody who boxes with you can give you opportunities.No problem, it’s a style I have to deal with. If I was to start talking, they’d know what I’m really about. I’m still not at my peak yet. The longer I stay in the gym, the better I will become.All the coaches I’m with are putting effort in.
KEY EVENT
Joshua TKO3 Molina
Molina here to survive, which is just about the worst outcome we could have expected.
AJ tight and patient, not looking to blast him out.
The IBF champ’s upper body bobbing as he gets into range.
The right hand wipes Molina out... Or does it?
He beats the count, AJ back to work. A barrage of punches against the American on the ropes from up close, it’s OVER.
Round 2
AJ getting through with a straight right.
Molina not throwing still, what a contrast to Whyte vs Chisora!
One left uppercut sends sweat of Molina’s head spraying into the air.
Round 1
AJ not committing much just yet.
It’s the jab and a tentative straight right, but with Molina not throwing at all?
A whipped left hook moves Molina back into the ropes in the best punch of the round.
DING DING DING!
Here we go, AJ looks imposing in there.
Molina already on the back foot and looking to scout AJ’s approach.
AJ bobbing and throwing simple one-two combinations.
Credit to both Whyte and Chisora for an absolute WAR. That was really fun, now to the main event...
Molina comes out to a Mariachi band... His moment to shock the world, barely anybody expects him to go past six or seven rounds.
AJ’s entrance to come next...
Congratulations to @dellboychisora & @DillianWhyte on putting up a brilliant fight. I hope ur both ok after that war#Bravo
KEY EVENT
Whyte wins a split decision
We go to the score cards...
Both fighters given a huge round of applause!
115-114 for Chisora, 115-113 for Whyte... And 115-114 to the winner by SD... Dillian Whyte!
It's gone the distance... but who has it?
There’s respect, there, the fighters touch gloves at the start of the 12th.
Whyte seems to knock Chisora down, or was it a slip? Del needed a hand up!
Whyte spun around with a big shot from Del, both men going for the 12th-round KO!
Both men swing in a penalty kicks-type finish, almost like they weren’t prepared to go the distance. Whyte almost threw himself out the ring. It goes the distance!
11 rounds in the books
The pace slows, but both men taking deep breaths and loading up once again.
What a treat this has been.
Whyte with a solid left to spring off the ropes and push Chisora back. Whyte’s round, surely...
Two rounds left
Clean uppercut from Chisora rocks Whyte - shades of the AJ shot that ended their fight a year ago.
Whyte responds though, before a nice counter by Chisora, but he can’t follow up, totally gassed after 10 gruelling rounds.
Whyte dabbing the jab from a low position, Chisora working off instinct now. Does he have a big enough lead to withstand the final few rounds?
Bellew has it a round to Chisora, Richie Woodhall has Whyte up by a round, this is tight!
Nine rounds in
Second wind from Whyte at the start of this round, pushing Chisora back on the ropes.
Whyte back to the jab and keeping his right low, which attracts Del to throw the left hook.
Chisora pushing back a little towards the end of the ninth, but has clearly shot his bolt, guard is up more than it’s ever been in this fight.
Round 8 and it's turning into a classic
First bit of leaning at the beginning of the eighth.
“This is going to come down to who wants it most,” says Haye, making viewers around the country down their beers after delivering that huge cliche.
Chisora wants this bad and he’s landed several ENORMOUS left hooks, Whyte looks done, WOW! What a fight!
Both land clean shots at the bell, this is great entertainment.
Round 7 and it's pretty level
Carl Froch had it 58-57 after six, for what it’s worth...
More good action in the seventh round, both men hooking from midrange.
Haye believes both men are ‘just below the elite,’ but a win here could ‘launch them into the world title mix.’
Both exchange leather at the bell and appear out on their feet - respect seems there as they stare at each other before spinning to move back to their corners.
Round 6 as the tempo drops
Whyte starting to get the jab working and that’s where he’s at his best, putting power shots behind that lead.
Now Chisora gets back close, realising he can’t counter effectively from the corner.
Tempo drops a bit and Whyte looks to jab and move a bit. Great action.
Big, big punches in round 5
ice combination from Whyte, who lets his hands go and snaps Chisora’s head back with a left hook.
Huge left by Chisora catches Whyte on the ropes, then a right rocks Whyte to his boots, WOW!
What a fight we have on our hands here, both men emptying the tank early!
Four rounds in...
Chisora looks to have the bit between his teeth, he’s not taken anything to stem the flow.
Delboy is pushing Whyte around, this is a tough, up close fight. Interesting clash of styles.
Whyte dipping shots into the body, but Chisora not bothered and winning this fight inside.
Whyte rocked in round 3
Whyte spinning away as Chisora launches bombs off the front foot.
Almost entirely power punches, Chisora with the occasional jab.
Huge left hook from Chisora rocks Whyte!
The pair keeping up the pace in round 2
Good output from both fighters, though this pace could be tough to maintain.
Del windmilling away and on the front foot, impressive!
Really good heavyweight action from the pair. Tough round to score.
TRADING BLOWS: @DillianWhyte and @dellboychisora are going at it. Tune in.
BLOG skysports.tv/0Swy17
BOOK skysports.tv/SPxsRB
Busy start in round 1
Both fighters winging away early doors.
Neither prepared to have a look for a moment.
Chisora looks to pump the jab out. Whyte looking to work the body, dipping nicely to the left and catching Chisora low.
*Ding, ding, ding*@DillianWhyte v @dellboychisora is ON.
BLOG skysports.tv/0Swy17
BOOK skysports.tv/SPxsRB
And here comes Whyte
Whyte comes in to ‘Back in Black’ from AC/DC...
We’re ready, the fighters are announced by Michael Buffer.
Let’s get it on!!
Enter Chisora
Hotel California booms out as Chisora makes his way to the ring!
He means business, the grudge match is here.
How will this go?
Viviane Obenauf’s face was badly cut there, but she braved it out and got through the rounds.
Katie Taylor too good and wins a decision, 60-53, to remain unbeaten.
Now for the big grudge match!
UNDEFEATED: @KatieTaylor secured a unanimous points victory. 2/2 for her. REACTION: skysports.tv/0Swy17
The world is watching...
The American team is in place ahead of the heavyweight double-header.
Deontay Wilder is in the house with Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi as part of Showtimes’s coverage.
Wilder will hope to be in the reckoning to fight Joshua down the line.
Knockdown from Taylor in the second, but her opponent bounces back up.
Popping the jab in Taylor’s face and looking to land the right uppercut off the back of it.
Two rounds down and Taylor cruising...
Katie Taylor returns
Katie Taylor back in action and looking sharp early on in her second professional bout.
Speed and output is impressive early on from the Irish fighter, who peppers Viviane Obenauf’s body.
Big round to start things off.
IRISH SENSATION: Watch @KatieTaylor in action on Sky Sports Box Office.
BLOG: skysports.tv/0Swy17
BOOK: skysports.tv/SPxsRB
Cayetano didn’t see it coming, Quigg wipes out the Mexican with a straight right from a crouched position.
Stunning shot and decent power late into the rounds.
Good return for the Bury man who will hope to earn a rematch with Frampton at his new weight.
WINNING IN STYLE: @scottquigg produces a sensational KO. He's back.
REACTION here: skysports.tv/0Swy17
Quigg lets loose with a flurry of shots as Cayetano sits on the ropes.
O’Connor briefly thought about stepping in.
What a shot!!!! It’s over! Quigg ends it with a monstrous right hand!
Cayetano’s chin is good, he’s taken some good shots here and it’s frustrating Quigg somewhat.
Eight rounds in the bank and Cayetano is firing back plenty.
War of attrition from Quigg, who’s found it tough to crack the Mexican.
Yafai modest in victory
It’s unbelievable, hasn’t sunk in yet. I didn’t think so, I done what I needed to do.I still feel like there’s a lot more to give and this will take me up another level. Yes, 100 percent [I needed this. I just thought I was winning the rounds comfortably.
Quigg is slugging it out here and it’s all quite crude.
Where’s the jab? Too desperate to get this over, winging in hooks.
Cayetano can see these coming and is picking his moments, Quigg winning though...
#andthenew Congratulations to @iam_yafai who is now a World Champion! Lots more live action on Sky Box Office now!
Quigg winning all the rounds, but not putting a dent in Cayetano.
He’s looking fit and fresh tonight and proving illusive for the Bury fighter.
Stubborn performance...
NEXT: Quigg vs Cayetano
Quick turnaround now, Quigg and Cayetano in the ring.
We’re underway and that signature high guard from Quigg is there.
Up and down with the movement from the waist and pushing the Mexican back.
THE RETURN: @scottquigg is back in the ring. Tune in now.
BLOG: skysports.tv/0Swy17
BOOK: skysports.tv/SPxsRB
Classy Kal Yafai becomes first world champion from Birmingham
Kal Yafai became the first world champion from Birmingham by outclassing former two-weight world champion Luis Concepcion to capture the WBA World super flyweight title.
The Brummie fighter grasped his chance on the Anthony Joshua vs Eric Molina undercard against the seasoned Panamanian, dumping him on the canvas in the 10th round.
The judges all gave the fight to the 27-year-old - 120-108, 119-108, 117-110 - who remains unbeaten and moves to 21-0.
The precision of Yafai’s left hook was admirable from the first bell as he looked to achieve what he described in the build-up as his destiny.
As good as Yafai was, former champion Concepcion was desperately disappointing after failing to make weight and could not adjust after the Brit’s quick start, leaving his right too low throughout the fight.
Too easy for Yafai
Yafai too good here and is strolling towards victory.
Concepcion off balance in the 10th and dumped to the canvas by a flurry from Yafai.
Special performance by the Brummie, who will pick up the WBA strap but for a miracle from the Panamanian.
Wlad is in the house!
The big names keep piling through the doors...
It’s former lineal world champion Wladimir Klitschko who will take in the AJ vs Molina fight.
Meanwhile, Yafai continue to outwork Concepcion as we enter the ninth.
HUGE ARRIVAL: Welcome to #JoshuaMolina @Klitschko. This has just cranked up a notch. BLOG: skysports.tv/0Swy17
More good stuff from Yafai, whose left hook is doing all the damage.
Lovely combination in the seventh rocks the former champion back and brings a roar from the Brummie fighter’s corner.
This former two-weight world champion is being made to look ordinary.
Yafai and Concepcion delivering in ding-dong battle
Yafai working Concepcion’s body early - a good tactic given the Panamanian’s struggle to make weight.
Concepcion is bobbing and weaving with Yafai showing great movement too.
Yafai with the better of this after three, following up the jab with punches in bunches.
Yafai's moment of truth
Remember, Yafai with a chance to win the world title, but Concepcion cannot retain his belt.
He lost it on the scales after failing to make weight.
A really good fight in store this, can it live up to Buglioni vs Burton?
KEY EVENT
Smith with HUGE KO win
Callum Smith has just wiped out Luke Blackledge with a devastating straight left that put the challenger out cold.
Smith was being frustrated for large spells of the fight with Blackledge illusive on the back foot, but the mandatory challenger for the WBC World title caught him in the 10th.
.@CallumSmith23 beats @LukeBlackledge. The challenger is now being looked after in the ring followed that KO: skysports.tv/0Swy17
AJ: I'm sharp
“I’ve been here a few days settling in, I’m always up North.“Normal, we’re all family.“I want to go out there and look sharp, we’ll save the best to last.”
Smith unable to get Blackledge away
Solid uppercut in the eighth from Smith floors Blackledge, this is a beat-down now.
Should this be stopped? The fighters trade at the end of the round.
Blackledge not being put away is frustrating Smith. Haye in the crowd raises some cheers and boos to distract the fighters in the ring.
Smith in control against spirited Blackledge
Callum Smith has put down Luke Blackledge once - in the third - but is otherwise being frustrated somewhat.
Smith’s left-right combo stunned Blackledge in the third, but he showed great resilience to shake off the knock-down and survive the next few rounds.
Smith seems to be chasing the knock-down now as we end the sixth, with Blackledge proving elusive on the back foot.
AJ arrives in style!
Anthony Joshua has arrived in style in his customised tracksuit.
The IBF World heavyweight champion will hit the ring at around 10:45pm.
AJ says he is ‘fired up’ for tonight, but his calm face suggests this is business as usual.
Buglioni wins by knock-out!
Drama in the 11th as Buglioni secures a knock-down with a Burton all over the place.
The overhand right finds a home once again and Burton is over for a second time.
He gets up but he’s unable to come to his senses and this one is OVER in the 12th! A shock based on the odds coming in!
Round 10
Burton now starting to dish out more punishment than Buglioni is prepared to take whilst still moving forward.
Can the Wise Guy dig deep in the Championship rounds?
Judges’ cards will be anybody’s guess...
Round 9
Doctor does indeed have a look at Buglioni’s cut...
Really is a brutal encounter this.
Credit to both fighters, but Burton just opening a little cushion from where I’m watching. The jab the key punch and is behind all his neat work.
Round 8
Both fighters trading meaningful shots again.
Burton now gets the jab back in play and is putting it together with the right too.
Buglioni maybe out of ideas? Burton edging this just about.
Round 7
Burton now struggling to stay illusive and Buglioni’s footwork is impressing.
The jab that was so effective early on has gone away.
Very close fight!
Round 6
Tough to see this one going much longer.
Buglioni is cut bad and it’s the sort of cut that’ll attract attention from the doctor...
Burton targeted it towards the end of the round, but Buglioni is pushing and the judges may prefer his aggression.
Meanwhile, the big man is in the building!
Round 5
Buglioni marking up quite a lot now.
But he just keeps coming and now Burton’s nose is dripping with blood.
Remarkable back and forth fight this. Both men showing great guts.
Round 4
Buglioni now being tagged by Burton’s right: nice clash of styles.
Neither fighter ready to slow the pace.
Burton rocks Buglioni with a clean shot, but the Londoner isn’t deterred. Good fight.
Round 3
Buglioni with a fan-friendly style: he just keeps coming forwards.
Tide turning perhaps?
Burton not enjoying the relentless nature of the fight, will he have the heart if this gets tough down the stretch?
Round 2
Burton’s piston-like jab a nightmare for Buglioni.
Wise Guy rallying at the end with some good work to Burton’s body.
Lively start from the pair...
Round 1
Buglioni on the front foot and Burton’s jab landing flush already.
Wise Guy not deterred though and using a bit of head movement now as he comes in.
Burton’s range the key here and he can dictate the tempo of this fight: Buglioni in real trouble as the combos land flush. Just about gets out of the round.
Buglioni and Burton up next!
This has the potential to be a corker!
Frank Buglioni, now at light heavyweight, taking on Hosea Burton for the British title.
Could steal the show, this one.
KEY EVENT
Conor Benn knocks out Steve Backhouse after just 66 seconds as he maintains unbeaten record
Conor Benn wasted no time knocking out Steve Backhouse in the pair’s welterweight clash in Manchester.
Benn was straight out swinging from the bell, knocking down Backhouse after less than 30 seconds with an on-the-money left hook.
Backhouse was allowed to carry on, but he didn’t last much longer as Benn swarmed him with a series of blows. After Backhouse went down for a second time in the round, the referee stepped in and waved the fight off.
The whole fight lasted for just 66 seconds, as Benn failed to get a meaningful workout as he secured the sixth win out of six in his young career.
Round 7: It's OVER!
Ortiz stops Allen with a barrage of punches and the referee finally waives it off.
A mismatch from the start, but that was a punishing round as the Cuban let his hands go and began to land some punishing shots. Tough on Allen, but that was for his own good.
Burton vs Buglioni is up next...
Round 6
Allen’s chin soaking up the punishment, which is not a good thing given his inability to win this fight.
Ortiz should really step on the gas here and try take him out.
Allen looks for a breather by complaining about another low blow and he gets a moment’s break.
Ortiz’s jab lands whenever he wants, Allen really slowing down.
Round 5
Allen complains after a low shot from Ortiz and the referee calls time briefly.
Ortiz still looking to attack the body to set up the shots upstairs.
Allen still taking several bludgeoning uppercuts per round, but he’s shown a great chin tonight.
Round 4
More dominance from Ortiz, who is breaking Allen down.
The Cuban is imposing his strength by leaning on his opponent and measuring him for combinations with the jab.
Allen taking some flush uppercuts.
Round 3
Ortiz still dominant and landing to the body to slow Allen down.
The straight left is falling a little short, but Ortiz closing the distance now.
Allen surviving for now...
Round 2
Ortiz’s jab popping upstairs and down, Allen starting to let his hands go a bit.
The Cuban is looking to dab the jab out and whip in the left uppercut.
Allen taking glancing shots but not troubled yet.
Round 1
King Kong on the front foot and pushing Allen back.
The White Rhino puts his hands behind his back and blows the Cuban a kiss.
The southpaw jab is snapping Allen back towards the ropes. One-way traffic after one...
Up next: Ortiz vs Allen
This could be a tough watch...
Dave Allen looks to cause a HUGE shock against Luis Ortiz.
The Cuban is one of the most feared heavyweights in the world and has ambitions to defeat Anthony Joshua.
Benn KO1 Backhouse
Benn straight out and winging away with hooks in round one.
Backhouse down already and gets himself up to beat the count.
It doesn’t last much longer as Benn swarms him before he tumbles once again and the referee, crouching over him, waves it off.
LIVE! @ConorNigel with an emphatic display gets a KO in the first round. Tune into Sky Sports Box Office now: skysports.tv/0Swy17
Conor Benn is up next!
Conor Benn warmed up and ready to go.
The Dark Destroyer’s son is 5-0 as a professional and takes on Steven Backhouse (1-4-1) up next.
The journey continues...
.@ConorNigel ready to bring the heat!
Catch him LIVE on @SkySports Box Office in 15 mins. #JoshuaMolina
Tonight's undercard...
Plenty of fights coming our way this evening.
The first televised bout is Conor Benn’s welterweight contest against Steve Backhouse, which gets underway at 5.30pm.
Other notable clashes are Kal Yafai’s bout with Luis Concepcion for the vacant WBA super-flyweight title, Scott Quigg’s WBA international featherweight championship clash with Jose Cayetano, Katie Taylor vs Viviane Obenauf and also Dillian Whyte vs Dereck Chisora, which will be a nice, quiet, low key affair. Not.
We’ll be bringing you the latest from all of these, so get the supplies in now.
The Destroyer @ConorNigel loosening up backstage.
He is in our first live fight of the evening! #JoshuaMolina
Barry McGugian's take: This is a mismatch
Eric Molina is a good man. His work with disabled kids back home in Texas is admirable, but as an opponent for IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua he does not cut the mustard.
Some credibility is derived from taking WBC champion Deontay Wilder into the ninth round last year.
A better barometer is the first round KO he suffered against Chris Arreola back in 2012. That is what we are looking at in Manchester tonight and it is not what Joshua needs.
Joshua is some talent and great for the game. The 27-year-old has power to burn, is an exceptional athlete, has a great physique and is good-looking with it.
But this is not a beauty contest. It’s boxing and he remains something of an identikit fighter.
Welcome to fight night
Good afternoon folks, how are we all doing on this bleak, midwinter Saturday?
As the rain lashes down and the shops are far too busy of Christmas shoppers to comprehend visiting, it’s an afternoon/evening taylor-made for watching live sport.
And what fare than an evening of boxing to whet your whistle?
Anthony Joshua’s clash with Eric Molina is our headline bout, with the 2012 Olympic champion heavy favourite to successfully defend his IBF heavyweight crown against the American.
Joshua weighed in almost a stone heavier than Molina as the pair came face-to-face for the final time before the first bell on later tonight.
Joshua was six pounds heavier than for his first world title defence against Dominic Breazeale in June.
He tipped the scales at 17st 11lb in Manchester, compared to Molina’s 16st 9lb.
The Londoner is bidding to win his 18th successive fight since turning professional as he puts his IBF heavyweight belt on the line.
And he told Sky Sports: “Someone is going to be shedding tears.
“That’s what people want to see. That’s why people are coming out, because they like to hear the thud of the punches, the technique, and they want to see if this is the man to go on and rule the heavyweight division.
“They are seeing if this man has the potential. I’ll just reveal a bit of it to them, from there on get this W and then we move onto a massive 2017.”
We’ve also got an excellent undercard to keep us busy until tonight’s headline bout, so let’s get the ball rolling...
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