Molitor Wins IBF Eliminator: Rumble At Rama VIII Photo Gallery
Posted June 27, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
If Steve Molitor’s objective was to thrill the local fans by putting on a dominating performance during Friday night’s Rumble At Rama VIII, he failed. If he was more intent on merely shaking off the rust, earning a win, and helping to erase the memory of his devastating knockout loss at the hands of Celestino Caballero last November, he succeeded — barely.
Molitor (29-1, 11 KOs), won a split decision victory over a very tough and technical Heriberto Ruiz (41-8-2, 8 KOs), earning with it the number 2 Jr. Featherweight IBF ranking, and a possible September title fight against the still-to-be determined number 1 contender. Caballero currently holds the belt, but is expected to vacate when he moves up in weight, allowing the top 2 ranked fighters to duke it out for supremacy of the divison.
To that end, Friday night’s fight did exactly what Molitor and his team hoped it would do — propel him along the path to regaining the title.
The “Canadian Kid”, however, was hardly beaming when the final bell rang. His body language alone told the story. Rather than the typical celebrations fighters usually engage in, Molitor marked the end of the sometimes-boring bout with a somewhat sheepish shrug.
They say styles make fights, and Ruiz couldn’t have been a more awkward opponent. In many ways, he was simply too much like Molitor — a slick, patient counterpuncher, hesitant to open up and expose his chin.
Add to that the lingering psychological stains from Molitor’s knockout loss, and fans were forced to endure a very slow start to the highly anticipated bout. And they weren’t shy about vocalizing their discontent.
“I’m a slow starter to begin with in all my fights, especially after what happened in the Caballero fight, I was really tentative. I had a lot on my mind, a lot of pressure, and I just wanted to be careful,” Molitor revealed during a post-fight press conference.
“It took a while for me to get back in the swing of things.”
Molitor admitted that hearing boos from the packed crowd at CasinoRama was a bit disheartening.
“It bothers me but you know Ruiz is a tough awkward opponent, there’s nothing I could do about it, it’s just the way we match up against each other. It’s unfortunate for the fans. I like to put on a great performance for the fans, and normally I do, but against this guy it was really tough to do.”
The fight did eventually open up with some entertaining exchanges, but for the most part the battle was void of the potential knockout power that creates tension.
That doesn’t mean there weren’t dramatic moments. A clash of heads opened up a nasty cut that dripped blinding blood into Molitor’s eye. His opponent seemed to sense his vulnerability, and Molitor had to be at his defensive best to avoid the subsequent onslaught.
“It was a clash of heads, he had an awkward style and I made a few mistakes jumping in with my head down a few times, but it’s the sport of boxing, that’s what happens,” the bloodied victor noted, adding that he felt more and more comfortable as the fight progressed.
“The last two or three rounds I was getting back to myself where I was relaxed and loose and slipped some shots and was slipping off the ropes pretty nice.”
More importantly to his handlers, Molitor stuck to the game plan, boxed wisely and slowly began rebuilding his winning aura.
“He got in there, he got his confidence back and the old Steve Molitor took hold,” said Allen Tremblay, President of Orion Sports Management.
“If we get a guy who will come at us, hopefully next time around he’ll look that much better, but we’re back and there’s good things ahead.”
“It’s a great ‘W’ off a devastating loss, so we go from here.”
UNDERCARD ACTION, RUMBLE AT RAMA VIII
Justin “The Matrix” Fountain (Hamilton Ont) defeats Ivan Flores of Mexico.
Greig Kielsa of Brampton defeats Byron Polley of Missouri via 4th round KO
Shawn “The Heat” Garnett (11-6-2, 3Kos) of Brampton, Ontario lost by decision to still-undefeated “No Doubt” Austin Trout (18-0,13Kos) of New Mexico, USA.
ODDS AND ENDS
