Pedraza Dominates Molina

Jose Pedraza’s second appearance in the MGM Grand “Bubble” resulted in yet another victory. The Puerto Rican former two-weight world champion bested fellow 2008 Olympian Javier Molina via unanimous decision.

The scorecards to close out the main event were all in Pedraza, who cruised with scores of 99-91 and 98-92 by the other two Saturday nights on the streaming service ESPN+.

Pedraza (28-3, 13 KOs), who won a decision over Mikkel LesPierre on July 2, returned to Las Vegas and authored his most significant junior welterweight victory. Molina (22-3, 9 KOs) entered the evening on a five-bout winning streak, a career-reviving run that included an upset over Amir Imam in February.

One step closer to the top at 140 pounds ?@sniper_pedraza was as sharp as ever en route to a dominant UD victory over Javier Molina (99-91, 98-92 x2). As the title picture at the top of shakes out, Pedraza lurks, and looks as dangerous as ever ?#PedrazaMolina | ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/4rqRArwQp5

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) September 20, 2020

Pedraza, who switched from orthodox to southpaw, hurt Molina in the seventh round and widened the gap as the bout reached its conclusion. He has won two bouts since dropping a decision to Jose Zepeda last September in his junior welterweight debut.

Pedraza said, “They do name me the ‘Sniper,’ and that means I have to be patient, and when my moment comes, I have to take advantage of it. That’s what I did tonight because I was able to wear him down, break him down, and make him fight my fight. It was the experience that I’ve had at the top level that helped me finally put it together. I’ve had the experience, I’ve had the talent, and it’s just on a night like this that I’m happy I could put it all together.

“I do believe I’m ready for a world title opportunity. Whoever it happens to be between Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez, I want the winner of that fight. If for some reason, I can’t get a world title shot against them, I do want to respectfully ask Jose Zepeda for the rematch.”

Pedraza has looked a lot better since that Zepeda loss, and if he’s asking for a return bout, I’m all for it. I can see that contest more than likely than a title shot, which is currently still awaiting the results of Josh Taylor and Apinun Khongsong before that winner takes on Jose Ramirez in an undisputed bout.