Sunday 4 December 2016 14:34, UK
Eric Molina believes he will be able to exploit any mistakes IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua makes when they meet in Manchester next Saturday.
Molina (25-3-KO19) arrived in England on Saturday ahead of his second attempt to win a world heavyweight title, having previously been knocked out by WBC champion Deontay Wilder in 2015.
That was one of three defeats on Molina's record, although the first of those came against Ashanti Jordan on his debut back in 2007 soon after he turned professional, following a belated introduction to the sport at the age of 23.
Since the Wilder defeat, Molina has beaten Rodricka Ray and most recently Tomasz Adamek, and he feels he is now a more dangerous performer than he ever has been as he finalises his preparations for the Sky Sports Box Office date with Joshua (17-0-KO17).
"They judge me by the (Chris) Arreola fight (the second of three defeats), which was my first step up as heavyweight. You guys could've beaten me - I was weak-minded," Molina said.
"I have grown into a very dangerous heavyweight. There's no other heavyweight in the world who could have gone through the things I've gone through to get here.
"I have a vision in my mind as to where (Joshua) makes mistakes and I have a vision as to where I am very, very dangerous. In my mind, those fit together so well.
"I don't feel Dillian Whyte is a big puncher. He's a good fighter but he's not a big puncher, so I know if he can hurt (Joshua, as he did in their 2015 fight), I can.
"I've got a list of guys I've sparred with and you guys would drop your jaw if I told you who I've hurt. I know I can hurt this man - it's not even a question. Just like I know he can hurt me."
Life outside the ring has provided Molina with a lot of life lessons, and he is already preparing for a return to his work as a special needs teacher whether he beats Joshua or not.
"I'll definitely go back," said Molina, who is Joshua's second challenger since he became champion.
"I work with disabled high-school students and, no matter what happens in this fight, I know my destiny is to go back and work with these kids. I love to do stuff like that.
"I work with kids who don't have much opportunities so I'm like a father figure to them. I've worked with kids with disabilities. That's where my heart's at and at the right time, I'll go back there. Multi-tasking keeps me flowing, keeps me producing, and I'm just able to do it, and I love doing it."
Watch Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena, on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event online here.
