Welcome fight fans for what should be an unusually emotional world title fight between Jason Booth and Steve Molitor. In one of the most inspiring comeback stories in boxing history, British Champion Jason Booth seeks to put a cap on an amazing recovery from severe personal problems by winning the IBF Super-Bantamweight World Title in Sunderland, England.
Booth has a torrid history, having battled with alcoholism following the suicide of his sister and descent of his brother (a talented boxer in his own right) into drug addiction. His dependency on alcohol left him on the brink of an early death and brought an abrupt holt to his career in 2004, with Booth fighting only once in the following three years. He has pulled his life together and his newfound soberity has allowed him to rebuild his career, with Booth winning the British Super-Bantamweight Title last April. He has made three successful defense of that belt and will now once again fight for a world title. Molitor is no stranger to the Booth family, with the champion having defeated Jason’s brother Nicky for the Commonwealth Super-Bantweight Title.
IBF Super-Bantamweight World Title
Steve Molitor vs. Jason Booth
Round One
They feel each other at the start, Booth goes in with right hand. Booth has a noticeable height advantage and looks thicker. Molitor connects with a shot to the body, and another. Its cagey in this opening round. They clinch and Molitor slips in some dirty punches. Booth twice almost catches Molitor on the rope, but the Canadian slips out. Booth traps Molitor in the corner as the round ends. Very even round with not much happening. I’d give it 10-10 but if you put a gun to my head I’ll go 10-9 Booth.
Round Two
Booth starts throwing the jab and connects with a shot to the body. Molitor rushes in, Booth sidesteps and connects with another body punch. Both are throwing but its all very long-range and so nothing much is connecting. Booth puts together a good two-hand flurry of punches after trapping Molitor on the ropes. Booth looks of the quicker of the two, and is the more aggressive. Booth again traps Molitor on the ropes and gets a few punches in. Molitor throws but Booth counters with a hard right hand and follows up by trapping the champion on the ropes and putting together another flurry. Molitor is cut and is not looking happy. 10-9 to Booth.
Round Three
Booth again pushes the action at the start of the round, with Molitor too quick to fall back. Molitor is still pretty sluggish, with Booth connecting with several good shots to the body. Its pretty much all Booth at the moment, with him getting plenty of success with the right hand and shots to the body. Booth is putting some lovely flurries together, although stumbles whilst throwing a punch. The cut above Molitor’s eye is causing him some trouble. Round ends with Booth putting together another smooth combination. 10-9 to Booth (30-27 to Booth).
Round Four
Booth starts the round aggressively but Molitor responds with some hard punches to the head and body. They fall back on the ropes and Booth lands some good body shots. Booth connects with the right hand again, Molitor seemingly cannot pick that punch. He’s again pushing the action, looking lively on the feet and using his handspeed to connect. Booth again lands with the straight right, as again the round ends with Booth on the offensive. Another round 10-9 to Booth, who is looking great (40-36 to Booth).
Round Five
Booth is seemingly using Molitor’s height against him, repeatedly adopting a very low stance as he tries to move under Molitor’s punches to get inside. Molitor is looking a bit better this round, connects with his left hand but is still flat footed. He puts a good set of punches together midway through, working the body of Booth well. Booth however makes sure of the round by taking the last minute, connecting with a couple of straight rights and working the body of Molitor after trapping him in the corner. Its getting closer but its another round for Booth 10-9 (50-45 to Booth).
Round Six
Booth is again pushing the action, really showing no fear. Molitor is however showing more in this round, throwing some strong punches with his left hand. Booth is giving Molitor more time, allowing the champion to plant his feet and land harder punches. Booth’s work is not as smooth as in the opening rounds and his footwork is slightly slower. Molitor’s round, and Booth needs to tighten up if he’s to captialize on his strong start (59-56 to Booth).
Round Seven
Molitor looks to impose himself, rushing in with a good left hand that forces Booth to hold. There’s far more snap to his work than in the first few rounds. Booth rebounds, connecting with the right several times but Molitor’s defense has improved. Molitor whips in a good body punch and nicks the round with a left hand-right hand-uppercut combination. The action is improving. (68-67 to Booth).
Round Eight
Booth needs to regroup as he’s lost his way in this middle third of the fight. Booth is working well this round, upping the tempo and taking control of the center of the ring again. His right hand is again landing frequently but Molitor counters with a couple of nice uppercuts. Booth seems to have his rhythm back but Molitor comes back with several big punches as he traps Booth on the ropes for a prolonged period. Booth gets out and the final exchanges are even. Difficult round to score as Booth controlled most of the round but that half minute period where Booth allowed Molitor to boss him on the ropes could have lost him the round. I’d give it to Booth but its very close (78-76 to Booth)
Round Nine
Molitor is looking the b etter of the two in thsi round, with his work having far more dynamism than earlier on. Booth connects with a nice uppercut but its the Champion that’s pushing the action. Molitor whips in with a hard body punch, and cuffs Booth with a hook shot. He whips in another hook shot, this time to the body. Booth’s work is lacking the smoothness and tightness of the opening rounds. That’s Molitor’s round, he landed the more solid shots throughout (87-86 to Booth).
Round Ten
Its gutcheck time for both fighters. Booth starts well but Molitor comes back strongly. Molitor is camped out in the middle of the ring and has the time and space to plant his feet and pick his shots. Molitor puts together a good left-right combination to the head of Booth. Booth comes back and is hanging in there with the champion. Molitor comes on strong in the last minute, landing the better of the punches with Booth’s footwork and headmovement being noticeably slower. That makes it even on my scorecard and the momentum is with Molitor (96-96).
Round Eleven
Booth moves quickly, catching Molitor with a couple of quick body punches. Molitor responds with a good combination, but Booth traps him in the corner and lands a good right hand, followed up with a couple of body punches. Booth is looking better in the eleventh, chasing Molitor down and outworking his opponent. Booth misses with a wild overhand left. Molitor is coming on strong in the final round, connecting with good left hands and uppercuts. They’re fighting inside and ther’es a head clash that cuts both fighters, significantly in the case of Molitor. Difficult round to score, Booth took the majority of the round but Molitor may have caught the judges eye with a very strong final minute. I give it to Booth, but I accept I may be biased (106-105).
Round Twelve
Booth is getting up from his stool very slowly. They embrace at the start of the round. Booth is hyperactive, trying to push through the tiredness and outwork the Champion. Booth’s work lacks quality but the round is scrappy and his sheer workrate should be enough to take the round. And on my scorecards that should give him the fight 116-114 and make him the new champion. But its incredibly close with several rounds that could have gone either way. All will hinge on those later rounds when Booth took the majority of the round but faded in that crucial final minute, allowing Molitor to finish the stronger.
Steve Molitor wins on the judges’ scorecards, with the majority decision coming on scores of 116-113, 114-114 and 116-112. I wouldn’t argue too much with that decision, with Molitor undoubtedly coming back strongly after a poor start. Jason Booth can be very proud of his performance. In the end his small stature and lack of power probably prevented him from making the most of those opening rounds.
That concludes our coverage of this IBF Super-Bantamweight World Title fight, but make sure to follow our live coverage of the eagerly anticipated rematch between Wladimir Klitschko and Sam Peter.
