Steve Molitor v Jason Booth
Saturday is redemption day for Jason Booth as against all odds he finds himself chasing a world title once again.
This time around it’s the IBF super-bantamweight strap, coming some six years and a drunken abyss since he was last a world champion. All that stands in his way is Steve Molitor.
There’s no denying “2 Smooth” hit rock bottom. The former alcoholic and drug addict will see the culmination of his efforts to get clean and sober when he makes a return to elite-level fighting in the fight has being billed as the resurrection. But it will be no easy task.
Molitor is a top fighter and will not give up his title lightly. He fights with a record of 32-1-0 with 12 knockouts, his sole defeat coming against Panama’s Celestino Caballero in late 2008.
It was a defeat that hit “the Canadian Kid” hard, but he bounced back himself with four wins in four and claimed his IBF strap back with a unanimous decision win over Takalani Ndlovu back in March.
When at the top of his game Molitor is a formidable foe. He is famed for destructive performances over the likes of Michael Hunter and Fahsan 3k Battery, yet since his sole career loss, a devastating fourth- round TKO against Caballero, he hasn’t looked as venomous.
Still there’s no question Booth will have his work cut out. In his last fight he struggled to victory against Matthew Marsh, and despite his incredible story he didn’t fight like a man who is taking one last swing at glory, losing the majority of the fight before cutting Marsh in the 11th and getting the TKO. There’s no way he could get away with that against Molitor.
Despite winning his last seven bouts, Booth goes into this fight as a major underdog. It’s unlikely he’s short on inspiration, but if he does need a drop more he just needs to look to fellow Brit Ricky Burns. Last weekend the Scotsman went in as a massive underdog to Román Martínez and came away the world champion thanks to a barnstorming performance; Booth will need to pull off a similar gallant giant-killing on Saturday.
Like Burns, Booth can draw comfort in having a home crowd behind him, although not in his native Nottingham a Sunderland crowd will be in full force to cheer him on, although that hasn’t helped English opponents against Molitor before.
There’s also family pride at stake as well. 2 Smooth will be searching for vengeance for his little brother Nicky’s defeat to the champ some eight years ago. Booth the younger was outpointed over 12 rounds for the Commonwealth title by a young Molitor who impressed the watching elder Booth with his calibre.
Booth recalls that day. “Back then Molitor was unbeaten, but unknown despite his amateur pedigree and most people reckoned Nicky would win,” he said.
“Although Nicky did well, Molitor’s qualities were obvious and it is no shock to me what he has achieved since then. He is a credit to boxing.”
Similar styles will be on show; two well-rounded boxer-movers who like to counter and pick off their opponents. Neither are huge punchers so it’s likely this fight will last the distance. While Booth has a stiff jab, Molitor has a class one and his added size and strength will really test Booths durability. The Canadian kid is a southpaw so Booth will be looking to land his right over the top of Molitor’s left and the fight could hinge on who is more effective in that sub-plot.
Probably Booth’s main strength is his body shots and a lot will depend on how Molitor holds up to hooks to the ribs as Booth tries to work his way inside.
There’s far more to this fight though than technique and skill, it promises to be an intense battle for many reasons. Booth will know this is his last shot and a fantastic end to comeback from his personal h**l if he can steal the title. Neither boxer is fighting outstandingly well, so it’s an open contest in term of form. Molitor is mentally fragile after blemishing his record, while it’s fair to say Booth isn’t a natural in this weight class.
There’s no denying that Booth’s return from street dwelling washout to contender is a Cinderella story, but there is no guarantee he will go to the ball, he has a chance against Molitor but he could still easily be turned into a pumpkin by the solid Canadian.
Prediction: Molitor unanimous decision
Everyone in the country and possibly the world wants Booth to win this one, but you get the impression that Molitor might be a bit much for the Nottingham man.
He certainly has a chance, this is not the same Molitor that tore through Hunter but he still has that class. If Booth fights like he did in his last bout he could be in trouble, he was outfought by Marsh and only just managed to wade out of that quagmire.
Yet in sport and indeed life triumph often springs from the toughest adversity and Booth will go in there with fire in his belly, a will to succeed like never before. If he gives it everything he has particularly in front of a home crowd there is no reason why he can’t pull off a shock win.
The truth is Molitor is bigger, more experienced and tougher than anyone Booth has fought before, making 2 Smooth the clear outsider.
However everyone said that about Burns as well.
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