Frampton thrashes Molitor

By ESB - 09/23/2012 - Comments

By Frank Walsh: Entering Saturday night’s contest, undefeated commonwealth super bantamweight champion Carl Frampton was taking a large step up in class, and his first step inside the grounds of world class. Steve Molitor in the twilight of his career, but still a dangerous proposition, was the gatekeeper upon whom Frampton would have to pass to enter these grounds.

Living up to his moniker before a rapturous crowd, Frampton jumped on Molitor from the opening bell of their scheduled 12 round encounter. The initial pace unsettled Molitor from the outset. The first two rounds seen Frampton as the aggressor, keeping Molitor on the back foot landing with right straights repeatedly. Round three saw Molitor work his way back into the contest, forcing Frampton to ease off the accelerator a slight touch but not landing anything significant. In the closing seconds of the round Molitor took a standing count after the ropes saved him from hitting the canvas from a Frampton right hook,and a follow up left body hook.

The fourth round seen Frampton bully Molitor, major cracks began to appear and a stoppage seemed imminent. Hitting the canvas from a Frampton barrage, Molitor rose to take an eight count. Molitor was searching for the exit, and after taking a knee for another count, referee John Keane provided the emergency exit for Molitor, calling a halt to the contest ruling Molitor in no condition to continue with 39 seconds remaining in the sixth round.

Although Molitor has progressed beyond his prime, he nonetheless presented a stern test for Carl Frampton. This test would gauge his ability on a level beyond where he had previously honed his craft. Frampton never overzealous in his assault on Molitor, showed maturity beyond his year’s, picking his spots and when to push his foot on the accelerator. The clinical assassination Frampton performed on Molitor with surprising ease, proved he is ready to continue on his quest to reach the upper echelon of the super bantamweight division.