We all know that Anthony Joshua has the power to put anyone away with a single punch, but Eric Molina believes he can upset the odds with his own secret shot. In the final pre-fight press conference between the two fighters, Molina was respectful of Joshua but issued a stern warning to those who have doubted him. Stating explicitly that he’s been training for one specific punch, one perceived weakness in Joshua’s game that he is going to exploit on December 10, Molina says he’s ready to take the IBF heavyweight title home.
For his part, Joshua was calm during the press conference and offered little insight into his own strategy. In fact, as he’s so often done, he explained that he isn’t simply training for the here and now. While Molina may have been laser-focused on one move for Joshua, the man himself is training to become the perfect fighter. Whether it’s now or in five fights time, Joshua has continued to build a complete skill set under trainer Rob McCracken and this time out he may well look like an improved version of his former self.
Not Even a Puncher’s Chance for Molina
So, when it comes to the odds makers, how does the one shot optimism of Molina stack up against the cool, calculated strategy of Joshua? Well, to put it politely, those in charge of the betting lines don’t even think Molina has a puncher’s chance of winning. Regardless of whether he possesses the kryptonite shot or not, the bookies can’t see this one going to the American.
Sun Bets and Coral have similar lines at 3/100 and 1/33 respectively, while Paddy Power is taking an even more pessimistic view of Molina’s chances with a Joshua win price of 1/50. Of course, stranger things have happened in boxing and there’s every chance Molina could cause an upset. In fact, those that are quick to dismiss his chances seem to forget that he’s been in with the man many consider the best heavyweight in the world, Deontay Wilder.
Although he eventually lost the fight, Molina rocked Wilder with a thumping left hook in the third. Not only that, but it took Wilder until the ninth to finally see off his opponent. This sort of resilience not only led Wilder to describe Molina as “willing and determined” enough to give Joshua problems, but it could make him a dark horse in this one.
There’s Some Value in a Molina Gamble
While the chances of a Molina win are slim, an early shot could rattle Joshua. If that’s your call, 14/1 on a Molina win with Paddy Power looks to be the best value out there at the moment. If you want to be a bit more specific, Molina in the third (the same round he rocked Wilder) is currently 100/1 at Sun Bets.
When all is said and done, however, it’s hard to back a man who has admitted he only has one way to win. While that may just be talk ahead of the fight, Molina isn’t known for his bravado. Although we know he has a toolbox full of tricks gathered through years of experience, he is in danger of relying on plan A without having a plan B.
Expect a Mid-Fight Finish
For that reason alone it’s tough to see how Joshua loses this one. Many feel he could put his opponent away early with a few well-placed shots, but it’s likely Joshua knows it will take a bit more to get the job done and leave something back. For those interested in round betting, Coral’s over bet on 4.5 rounds at 11/8 looks to have some value. Beyond that, Joshua to win in Round 6 at 10/1 could be the tastiest bet of the night.
Yes, there’s a very strong chance this fight could be over inside of three, but if Joshua continues to display the maturity he’s shown in recent fights, it will go longer. Can Molina last nine rounds with a power puncher like Joshua as he did against Wilder? Probably not, but there’s no reason he couldn’t still be in there by the sixth. If that’s the case, we can expect a mid-fight finish from Joshua. But, as Molina keeps telling us, we shouldn’t be shocked if things don’t go the way we expect.
