ESPN’s Friday Night Fights will originate from Las Vegas, Nev. featuring junior middleweights “King” Carlos Molina (17-4-2, 5 KO’s, IBF #15, WBC #16) pitted against former New York State welterweight champion, Allen “The Dream Shatterer” Conyers (12-4, 9 KO’s) in the 10-round main event live April 29, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN3.com and ESPN Deportes. Friday’s show will air on ESPN2 Sunday May 1, at 2 p.m. ET (schedule on ESPN2 subject to change depending on outcome of NBA playoffs). Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at The Cosmopolitan, describing the action.
Chicago’s Molina is undefeated in his last 10 fights and is coming off a 10- round March draw against previously undefeated Cuban prospect Erislandy Lara on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.
After the fight on ESPN2, ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael wrote, “Molina pressured Lara throughout the fight, and only a late rally from Lara – who wobbled Molina in the ninth round – saved him from a decision loss in what was easily the most disappointing performance of his career. Instead of throwing combinations and using his counterpunching ability, Lara threw one punch at a time. Make no mistake: The draw should be considered a big setback and a huge disappointment for Lara, who was sloppy and dispassionate. And Molina certainly could have gotten the decision. Still, a draw was basically like a win for Molina.”
New York’s, Conyers is coming off a late January, 10-round decision win against previously undefeated James De La Rosa.
After the fight Rafael wrote on ESPN.com, “Conyers has faced some good opponents, but has usually lost when he has stepped up in class. This was supposed to be a fight for De La Rosa to shine in. Instead, he got beaten and battered in a very surprising upset. Conyers, whose chin has often betrayed him, took the shots from De La Rosa and won a clear decision with a very determined effort. Frankly, he made De La Rosa look like an amateur. Conyers hurt De La Rosa numerous times and scored three knockdowns, in the second, sixth and eighth rounds. Whatever hype there was surrounding De La Rosa, it should be gone now.”
Conyers said of Friday’s Fight, “I’m going to be 100 percent ready for this fight. I’ve seen Molina fight Lara. He pulled out a draw and it was a good fight. I thought he won the fight, but they gave him a draw. He’s a good fighter. But you never how he’s going to fight. Hopefully he stays there right in front of me, but he might get on his bike. They might see something in me and think they can outbox me. I’m just ready to go 10 hard rounds, if that’s what it goes. If he’s in shape, it’s going to be a great fight.”
