Joshua vs Molina: Anthony Joshua teases going the distance with Eric Molina
Sunday 4 December 2016 10:03, UK
Anthony Joshua has welcomed the idea of out-boxing Eric Molina in a 12-round decision after coming face-to-face on The Gloves Are Off.
The IBF heavyweight champion has knocked out all 17 of his pro opponents, but respects the durability of Molina, who he defends the title against on December 10 on Sky Sports Box Office.
Asked how the fight will end, Joshua said: "I can predict it going 12 rounds, and not getting hit. That should be the mindset I'm in."
I can predict it going 12 rounds, and not getting hit.
Joshua's suggestion that he could demonstrate a new string to his bow- he has never been pushed beyond seven rounds - came as a response to Molina questioning his toughness.
"There's some things about Joshua," Molina said. "He's young, strong, with all the attributes of a great champion but there's a lot of things he hasn't experienced in the ring.
"Those are the things I need to capitalise on, to put him in those spots. Eventually, he needs to go through those things, like every heavyweight."
There's a lot of things he hasn't experienced in the ring. Those are the things I need to capitalise on.
Joshua shrugged off the notion that Molina could test his chin, suggesting he would happily defend himself for 12 rounds against the challenger who previously gave WBC champion Deontay Wilder a run for his money.
Molina took Wilder into the ninth round before eventually succumbing to defeat last year, but Joshua feels no pressure to improve upon his fellow world champion's result.
"I don't want to make this fight about Deontay Wilder," Joshua said. "[Molina] put up a hell of a fight because Wilder is supposed to be this one-punch knockout artist who's been in the game for eight years.
"It will be a good comparison in the back of my mind, God willing I get the job done. But that doesn't make me a better fighter than Wilder, or him a better fighter. Everyone has their own attributes."
Watch The Gloves Are Off On Demand now.
Watch Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena, on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event online here.
