Local boxers in the news, John Molina, Jesus Hernandez, Jessie Isais
Super lightweight Jessie Isais is back in the gym and working hard. Photo: Jim Wyatt
John Molina (22-1, 18 KOs) won the vacant WBC USNBC Lightweight title Saturday night at the Blue Water Resort and Casino in Parker, Arizona. Molina dropped Alejandro Rodriguez of Guadalajara, Mexico (12-3, 6 KOs) three times, once at the end of the first round, and twice more in the third round. In the end, it was Rodriguez’ corner that called for the stoppage.
“We got rid of the ring rust,” said Molina. “And we’re ready to go on to the next fight. This fight was exactly what it was, a good fight! I got my timing back. My jab worked best for me tonight but I still got to work out a few more things. I want that 135 pound division title; I want to go to work for it.”
John "The Hammer" Molina
On June 24, Molina is scheduled to take on Robert Frankel (28-10-1, 5 KOs) of Denver, Colorado in the main event of an ESPN2 “Friday Night Fight” series at our local Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, CA.
In Saturday’s Co-feature bantamweight Hanzel Martinez (12-0-0, 10 KOs) (the brother-in-law of Antonio Margarito) got the fans excited when he leveled Omar Gonzales (2-7-0) in the fourth round of a scheduled six rounder. Not to be condescending, but Martinez, who is quite flashy, has been padding his stats by fighting cupcakes.
Also in the news, Jesus Hernandez is about to turn pro
Jesus Hernandez is shown receiving an award for top boxer of the show from Priest Tiger Smalls who months later ended up being his full time trainer. Photo: Jim Wyatt
It’s always big news when you learn a local amateur boxer like Jesus Hernandez of La Jolla, CA has decided to turn professional. After you’ve watched them progress and work so hard, it’s only natural you want to see the young man succeed. Then, to your dread, you discover the young man is set to face another local aspirant, Jessie Isais (1-1) of Chula Vista, CA.
In Isais’s two professional fights (March and June of 2009), he fought boxers who were making their pro debut. One, a top prospect by the name of Alan Sanchez (now 7-2-1) and the other Ramiro Rodriguez (0-1) who is no longer in boxing. Not that he could have beaten Sanchez, but Isais did catch the flu just two days prior to the fight. While looking respectable in that fight, he did lose almost every round. In his second bout, against Rodriguez, it was an entirely different scenario; Isais dominated.
When Isais faces Jesus Hernandez, he’ll have a slight height advantage, but he’ll also be dealing with an inactivity issue. Isais’ last fight was almost two years ago. Over that same period, Hernandez has kept busy boxing the top amateurs, winning three times and losing just once to another fellow who will be turning pro any day now, Kevin Saldado.
