Ex-WBC champ helps Molina prepare for Arreola
There’s nothing like having a former world champion and a veteran trainer in your corner for a big fight. Lyford heavyweight Eric ‘Drummer Boy’ Molina (18-1, 14 knockouts) is preparing for his much anticipated Feb. 18 showdown against WBC No. 1 contender Chris Arreola (34-2, 29 KOs) at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi with the help of former WBC champion Oliver McCall (56-11, 37 KOs) and James Gogue, who has trained his share of top-caliber fighters. The winner of the Molina-Arreola title eliminator bout, scheduled to be televised by Showtime, is expected to face Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KOs), the WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion. "I think Eric’s chances are very good," said McCall, 46, who defeated Lennox Lewis (previously 25-0) on a second-round technical knockout in London on Sept. 24, 1994, to capture the WBC heavyweight title. "Arreola’s going to underestimate Eric by thinking he’s at a certain level, but with all of Eric’s hard work, development, savvy and motivation, he’s going to be several levels higher than what Arreola is expecting. "I don’t want to be too specific in revealing our strategy," added McCall, who is still active in the ring as evidenced by how he captured the WBF Intercontinental heavyweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Damian WIlls on Sept. 20, 2011. "All I can say is Eric’s offense is definitely going to be a deciding factor. "Yes, Eric’s defense will be very important, but his offense is going to play an even more important role. Arreola can be hit." It was incorrectly reported last month that Molina was in Florida preparing for his fight. Instead, he’s training in the Rio Grande Valley under the direction of McCall and Gogue, who works with boxers at a gym in Edinburg. "I’m passing along knowledge that was passed on to me by three hall of fame trainers," said McCall, who is also serving as a sparring partner for Molina. McCall, a Chicago native now residing in Martinsville, Va., once was known as a regular sparring partner for Mike Tyson. Added Gogue, "This is by far the biggest fight that any Valley fighter has ever had. Oliver’s knowledge is immense, and what he’s teaching Eric is very important. I’m basically taking a backseat and letting Oliver work his magic. He has a lot of knowledge. "There are two types of boxers — heavyweights and all the other (weight classes of) fighters," Gogue said. "All the others can basically fight non-stop, but heavyweights need to economize their energy. Those are the types of techniques Oliver’s showing Eric. We know what we’re up against." UPCOMING South Texas Fighting Championships 19 is scheduled March 2 at McAllen Convention Center. For ticket information, call (956) 681-3800. The United States Muay Thai Talent Search to select 14 athletes to fight on a U.S. team that will compete in two events in Mexico is scheduled March 3 at the City of Brownsville Boxing Complex, located at 1338 E. 8th Street. Weigh-in is 10 a.m. and the event begins at noon. The U.S. team to be selected will fight in Veracruz and Villahermosa, Mexico, on March 24 and 31, respectively. For more information, go to www.mtalliancetx.com A "Solo Boxeo" show to be broadcast by Telefutura and featuring Edinburg middleweight Raul "Tigre" Casarez (18-2, nine KOs) in the main event is scheduled March 17 at Pharr Events Center. It is being presented by Julio Marines, Don Chargin and Golden Boy Promotions. Also set to fight on the show will be Brownsville boxers Sergio "Time To Shine" Perales and Jerry "Chicanito" Guevara, if they don’t fight on a possible Marines show March 2 at Brownsville Sports Park. For ticket information, call (956) 475-3434. Roy Hess writes for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com
