Carlos Molina eager to win in return bout against Gesta
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 29 Apr 2015
Molina (L) fights Broner.
Carlos Molina will be ending a one year of absence in the ring when he faces Mercito Gesta of the Philippines this Thursday at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.
Sidelined because of injury, Molina is eager to not only get back to the action, the 29 year-old fighter from Southern California is also hungry to notch his first win in more than two years.
"Back in September, I was training for a fight and I had a slight tear in my knee. We had to take the rest of the year off and we started training back again, back in January," Molina told Philboxing.com.
But Molina has not necessarily been busy, he only had two fights in the the span of two and a half years, and they're both defeats- the first is a TKO mishap to Amir Khan in December of 2012 and in May of last year, he succumbed to Adrien Broner by Unanimous Decision loss.
"I never wanted to win so bad. I'm taking this as a must-win fight for me. I'm putting everything on the table for this fight. We train that way. This is it. This is my fight. This is my fight that I have to win."
Fighting under the Espinoza Boxing banner and training at San Diego's House of Boxing Gym, Molina (17-2-1, 7 KOs) is proud of a great camp that got him ready for this "must-win" fight of his career.
"Training has been great. We've been pushing everyday to better ourselves. I got a great corner, I got a great team. We put in all the work and I'm so excited about the fight. We have to put on a show."
That show will be the main event offering of a Thursday night boxing special by Golden Boy Promotions. It will be carried LIVE by FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes at 10 pm ET/ 7 PM Pacific.
"We mentally got ready for this fight; mentally, physically, spiritually. We are ready." says Molina who boasts of a clean record before his two losses to Khan and Broner.
He will be facing another hungry fighter in Gesta, a one-time lightweight challenger in 2012 against then IBF Lightweight champ, Miguel Vasquez of Mexico.
Gesta, who now resides and fights out of San Diego, has been slowly building up his resume for another title campaign.
"I think he's a good explosive fighter but I don't think he has the experience that I have," commented Molina of his upcoming opponent.
"I'm going to go in there and I am going to showcase my skills. You will see my boxing ability and he'll also be surprised with my hand speed and power."
Gesta was once compared to the great Manny Pacquiao, a countryman of the 29 year old boxer- because of their similarities as southpaws and their explosive nature in the ring. The Filipino has compiled eight knockouts out of his last 10 recent wins.
"My trainers brought in great sparring for me, there were many things that I had to spar off, whether they be boxing or brawling, whatever they have to do. It's been great work. We are ready for whatever he brings," described Molina of his preparations for Gesta.
Gesta in a previous interview about this fight with Philboxing.com is anticipating "a great" but difficult duel with Molina.
Molina agrees with the statements of his dance partner.
"I think it's going to be a great fight. It's not going to be easy but we will be going out there and we are going to showcase and it's going to be a great fight for the fans."
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemazon910 on Twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Sun, 08 Feb 2026Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026