Chris Johnson: Steve Molitor’s trainer!
By Ivan 'LatinoPorVida' Montiel (01-Apr-2008)

FightFan.com's Ivan Montiel had a chance to catch up with Chris Johnson during training for Molitor's Apr. 5 title defence against Fernando Beltran Jr. at Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada. Check out what Chris had to say about this fight and Molitor's future in the super bantamweight division, only on FightFan.com!

IM: Obviously this is not Beltran’s first attempt at a world title–The first time around he fought WBO super bantamweight champion Joan Guzman in a fight that went the distance and Beltran lost by UD…Has Team Molitor seen any of Beltran’s fights?

CJ: Let me just say we don’t take any opponent lightly, we do realize Beltran Jr. is the No. 1 challenger for a reason. Beltran deserves it, and we know we are in for a fight but we will prepare hard as usual, just as we did against Castillo. You know, even with the cuts Molitor got and the pressure Castillo put on Steve, the champ still performed beautifully which means we won’t take Beltran Jr. lightly because we know that he is a good fighter and is coming to win.

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IM: Once again, thank you for taking the time to check in with us at FightFan.com. Let me start out by asking you about Steve Molitor as the champ will be defending his IBF junior featherweight title for the fourth time against Mexican Mandatory challenger Fernando Beltran Jr., how has training been going?

CJ: Well, we’ve been training since February. Steve just came off a huge victory over Ricardo Castillo in which we’ve now set down our game plan against Beltran Jr.

IM: Obviously this is not Beltran’s first attempt at a world title–The first time around he fought WBO super bantamweight champion Joan Guzman in a fight that went the distance and Beltran lost by UD which means this fighter should be no push over. In regards to Beltran’s fight against Guzman, have you seen that fight, if so what did you think about it? If not that fight, has Team Molitor seen any of Beltran’s fights?

CJ: Let me just say we don’t take any opponent lightly, we do realize Beltran Jr. is the No. 1 challenger for a reason. Beltran deserves it, and we know we are in for a fight but we will prepare hard as usual, just as we did against Castillo. You know, even with the cuts Molitor got and the pressure Castillo put on Steve, the champ still performed beautifully which means we won’t take Beltran Jr. lightly because we know that he is a good fighter and is coming to win.

IM: Also, I see Molitor is a busy fighter, I mean it’s only been two months since we last saw the champ do battle against Castillo in a rough fight that went the full distance yet Steve fought a hell of a fight. Molitor impressed many fight fans, including myself, with his speed looking much faster than ever before. The champ also looked a lot stronger and defended very well by slipping and dogging away from Castillo’s attack, which leads me to ask you, is there anything new we can expect from Steve Molitor in this fight?

CJ: You know, I remember Sugar Ray Leonard back in 1976-79 and how he fought 25 fights – now that’s an active fighter. Sugar Ray Leonard became more comfortable in the ring each and every time he stepped into the ring. It’s like most people working seven days a week, some work five days, now some want us to work once a year? Steve is earning his money, he is getting very comfortable in the ring; it’s almost like training for him. Everything we work for in the gym and in training is showing in the ring.

IM: Any predictions being made for this fight against Beltran Jr.?

CJ: There is no prediction just that we are going to win – that is always our prediction. We are going to come out victorious! No matter what, we will do whatever it takes to win! We are going to prepare to win, we never prepare to lose which means at the end of the day our result should be another victory!

IM: In regards to Mike ‘Machine Gun’ Oliver’s victory over Al ‘Quiet Storm’ Seeger as Oliver became the IBO featherweight champion winning by unanimous decision. Afterwards Oliver stated that he will forget Ponce de Leon and wants to fight Steve Molitor instead, whom he thinks is avoiding him. Is there anything you would like to say back to Oliver’s comments?

CJ: Everybody is going to talk, everybody has a mouth and it’s a freedom of speech. He can say whatever he wants but at the end of the day he has to earn his place, a shot at Molitor’s title. Oliver didn’t earn his place for Molitor’s IBF belt or else Steve would be fighting Mike Oliver next instead of Fernando Beltran Jr. All I have to say to Oliver is wait your time and if it is meant to be to fight us then Oliver you will get your ass whipping soon enough!

IM: Perhaps you can fight Oliver next, but if not, who’s next, hoping you get past Beltran?

CJ: Well, in this game it’s about two things for me, it’s about beating the best out there. It’s about making as much money as you can beating the best, and right now we have proven that we are legit in the high rankings in boxing. What it is right now is the money, rightfully money – we are looking for fighters like Ponce de Leon and Celestino Caballero. We know right now Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez are tied up with each other. We want to go to the next big thing. We want to go to the higher level and get the right money.

IM: Well you might just get those big fights sooner than expect, you never know anything is possible. Buena suerta to team Molitor. In closing, is there anything that you would like to say to all the fans who continue to support Steve in every fight?

CJ: I love the support that our fans have been giving us. I love it and I just want to let all of Molitor’s fans know that all the support that you have given Steve, the champ thrives on that; without his fans there is no Steve Molitor. I hope all of Molitor’s fans continue watching him and keep your hopes up because there are a lot of big things to come in the future and we are definitely excited!

IM: Muchas gracias once again!

CJ: It’s always my pleasure Ivan.

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