Carlos Molina Returns: Looking to Upset Erislandy Lara on ESPN Friday Night

This Friday night on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" rising Cuban Jr. Middleweight (154lbs) star Erislandy Lara will surprisingly be jeopardizing a future title shot by taking on a very tough "King" Carlos Molina from Chicago, by way of Mexico.

Erislandy Lara (15-0, 10 KOs) from Cuba had an outstanding amateur career, was the former 2005 amateur world welterweight champion and Cuban national team captain.

Since his defection from the Cuban team in 2007, he has assembled with him a quality team consisting of trainer: Ronnie Shields, promoter; Golden Boy Promotions; and manager: Luis De Cubas Jr.

He is currently ranked No. 5 WBA, No. 6 IBF and No. 10 WBC. 

Some have considered Lara to be the best Cuban prospect out there, even better than Yuriorkis Gamboa.

So far in his pro career, he hasn't faced anybody in the top 15 rankings.

He has had four first round knockouts in a row, his last being in January of this year against Delray Raines (18-8-1). In that match, he destroyed Raines in the first round with a one-two combination.

For comparison, Middleweight (160lbs) contender ranked No. 2 by the WBC and WBA David Lemieux had also knocked out Raines in the second round of their match in December of 2009.

After the Raines victory, Lara's team was calling for a match in May with the winner of the vacant WBA junior middleweight world championship bout between Austin Trout and Rigoberto Alvarez, which was held in January with Trout defeating Alvarez.

The fight for a world championship with Trout never materialized, so I, with many others, believe Lara is in his toughest professional fight ever against Molina this Friday night.

"King" Carlos Molina (17-4-1, five KOs) which was once ranked in the top 15 and the WBO-NABO Jr. middleweight champion always comes to fight. He hasn't fought since June of 2009 due to contractual problems with Don King.

That night, his last fight he defeated Danny Perez by unanimous decision, taking the fight within one week's notice.

Common opponents between both boxers include Danny Perez and Luciano Perez, which they (Lara & Molina) have beaten by unanimous decisions.

Molina has also fought two questionable bouts against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr: The first time to a draw in 2005 (Mexico) and then to a majority decision lost in 2006 (Las Vegas).

Most fans and media believe Molina won those two fights. Molina is on a nine fight winning streak since losing to Chavez Jr in 2006.

Molina defeated in Ed Paredes by unanimous decision in 2009, who is currently ranked No. 8 by the WBC at welterweight (147lbs).

Sources from Chicago tell me that Molina has been training "diligently" at Jabb, along with his two long time trainers Victor Mateo and Lou Askenette.

Molina, who has been in Vegas since Monday, told me via phone interview that he is "excited and can't wait to get back" in the ring.

"That him and his team have been preparing for this fight for over four weeks and have a game plan for victory. That he knows Lara is a tough opponent and he is looking for tough fight" and coming out victorious.

Molina a promotional free agent hopes that by putting up a good fight and defeating Lara a top promoter will end up signing him.

Those that have seen Molina in action know he is capable of delivering an upset, as he has done so in the past.

He is use to the spoiler role and always puts up a good fight.

Come Friday night, fight fans will have the opportunity to see where Lara and Molina stand in the Jr. middleweight division—making this a can't miss, exciting bout to watch.