Canadian boxer Steve Molitor will make his first title defence on home soil, his promoter announced at a news conference on Friday.
Molitor (23-0, nine knockouts) will take on Takalani Ndlovu of South Africa in the 12-round main event on July 14 at Casino Rama near Orillia, Ont.
Steve Molitor (left) stopped Michael Hunter in the fifth round to win the vacant title.
(Phil Heppell/Associated Press)
The Sarnia, Ont., native won the vacant International Boxing Federation junior featherweight (122 lbs.) in November, battering Briton Michael Hunter for a fifth-round stoppage win in Hartlepool, England.
"It's just starting to blossom right now," Molitor said. "People say, 'He hasn't fought often enough,' but that's actually a benefit to me.
"I haven't been through the wringer. I haven't been beat down or through any wars. I'm still fresh."
While Molitor is undefeated, setbacks outside the ring have limited him to just two fights in the last 18 months.
As often happens in the sport, Molitor has been hampered by a contractual dispute. An American promoter who holds options on Molitor's activity overseas has delayed Orion Sports Management, the fighter's Canadian promoter, from holding the bout in Ontario.
As well, Molitor travelled all the way to South Africa last year only to be see a fight scrapped at the last minute when opponent Gabula Vabaza failed a pre-fight physical.
Molitor, who now trains in Mississauga, Ont., should be in for a tough night with Ndlovu (27-3, 17 KOs). In his last fight, the South African won a split decision over contender Ricardo Castillo, the younger brother of longtime lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo.
Dropped close decisions
Earlier in his career, Ndlovu lost two close decisions to countryman Viyani Bungu, considered one of the best African fighters of the past two decades.
"I'll have to outbox him," Molitor said. "I'm a lot stronger and slicker. He has everything but I have it twice as good as he does. The only threat … is if I don't stick to my game plan and don't fight my fight. That's the only thing that concerns me."
A victory could put Molitor in line for more lucrative bouts in a division with exciting fighters such as recognized kingpin Rafael Marquez and puncher Daniel Ponce De Leon.
The fight could also offer an opportunity to stage future world-class boxing outside of Quebec, a rare occurrence in recent years. Casino Rama hosted a 2000 card that featured foreign champions Acelino Freitas and Harry Simon.
"If we are able to run three or four good quality professional fight cards every year, that will help build boxing's base in the province," said Jeff Craik, Casino Rama's vice-president of marketing.
Another big fight in Montreal
Boxing has been thriving in Quebec, with several of the province's best fighting in front of large crowds, including last weekend's Grand Prix outdoor show that saw Montreal fighters Herman Ngoudjo and Jean Pascal emerge victorious.
On Friday night, Lucian Bute (19-0, 16 KOs) will try and make the final step to a super middleweight title shot at Bell Centre in Montreal.
Bute takes on Australian-based Sakio Bika (22-2-2, 14 KOs), who last year gave undefeated champion Joe Calzaghe a tough test in a 12-round loss.
Bute and Bika both weighed in at under the 168-pound title limit. The winner has been promised a shot at IBF champ Alejandro Berrio of Colombia in the fall.
With files from the Canadian Press
