Moments ago, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Carlos Molina scored the biggest win of his career, capturing the IBF jr. middleweight title with a split decision victory over former champion Ishe Smith. The rounds were close, as both fighters had their moments. In the end, however, it was Molina who was awarded the decision on the scorecards. Relive all the action in FightHype’s round-by-round results.
ROUND 1 Smith starts off circling. Molina jabs to the body. Right to the body lands for Molina. Smith peppers his jab in Molina’s face. They trade jabs. Molina applying pressure. Molina digs to the body. Smith gets in a right to the body. Right hand upstairs lands for Smith. Molina lands a right to the back of the head and gets a warning. Left to the body lands for Molina. They trade hooks. Round to Molina.
Smith 9 Molina 10
ROUND 2 Left hook lands for Smith. Molina gets in a right cross. Left hook sneaks in for Molina. Right hand lands for Molina. Left hook lands for Molina. Overhand right lands for Smith. Left hand lands for Smith. Another right gets in for Smith. Leaping left lands upstairs for Smith. Molina digs some body shots on the inside. Molina lands a right. Overhand right lands for Molina. Better round for Smith.
Smith 19 Molina 19
ROUND 3 Smith lands a quick combo. 1-2 lands for Smith. Nice body shot lands for Smith. They trade jabs. Left hook lands for Smith. Molina walks into another left hook. They trade against the ropes. 1-2 lands for Smith. Molina gets in a jab. Left hook lands for Smith. Molina lands a left, but he eats a right from Smith. Round to Smith.
Smith 29 Molina 28
ROUND 4 Molina jabs to the body. Right upstairs lands for Molina. 1-2 to the body lands for Molina. Left hook upstairs lands for Smith. Another left followed by a right lands for Smith. Wild left from Smith misses. They trade on the inside. Molina digging to the body. Molina turning the pressure up. Smith lands a left. Nice right lands for Molina. Smith answers with his own. HARD left land for Molina and Smith holds on at the bell. Round to Molina.
Smith 38 Molina 38
ROUND 5 Molina lands a left hook. Smith answers with one of his own. Another left gets in for Molina. Smith digs a right to the body. Molina trying to rough him up on the inside. Smith needs to let his hands go. Molina charges in with his head and gets a warning. Right hand lands for Molina. Stiff jab lands for Smith. Left hook lands for Molina. Another. Round to Molina.
Smith 47 Molina 48
ROUND 6 Molina lands a jab. Smith flicking his jab out there with not much authority on it. Right hand lands for Smith. Another overhand right lands for Smith. Left hook lands for Smith. Nice combo lands for Smith. Molina digs to the body. They trade against the ropes. Smith looks content to stay there. Nice body shot lands for Smith. A clash of heads brings a momentary break in teh action. The action resumes. Molina lands a left to the body. Round to Smith.
Smith 57 Molina 57
ROUND 7 Left hook from Smith lands upstairs. Molina lands a right to the body. Molina digs to the body again. Smith lands an overhand right. Uppercut gets in for Smith. Another. Molina lands a right ot the back of the head and gets another talking to. They trade on the inside. Molina lands a left hook. Smith answers with one of his own…and another. Round to Smith.
Smith 67 Molina 66
ROUND 8 1-2 lands for Smith. Molina gets in a right. Left hook lands for Molina. 1-2 lands for Smith. They trade jabs. Molina lands a right. Smith looking to counter against the ropes. Molina digs to the body. Not much to choose from in that round. I give it to Molina, for bringing the fight to Smith.
Smith 76 Molina 76
ROUND 9 Smith comes out more active in this round. Nice 1-2 lands for Smith. Left hook lands for Smith. Molina lands a jab. Smith gets in a right to the body. They trade lefts. Left hook upstairs lands for Smith. They trade to the body. 1-2 lands for Smith followed by a left to the body. Molina gets in a 1-2. Counter right lands for Smith. Round to Smith.
Smith 86 Molina 85
ROUND 10 Smith lands a left hook. Molina gets in close and digs to the body. Overhand right lands for Smith. Another nice overhand right lands for Smith. Double jab lands for Smith. Molina gets in a right. Smith digs a right to the body. Another right to the body lands for Smith. Left hook lands for Smith, who is letting his hands go a lot more now. Molina digs to the body against the ropes. Round to Smith.
Smith 96 Molina 94
ROUND 11 Left hook lands for Smith. Molina lands a short right. Molina gets in another right. Smith lands a solid right followed by a left. Hard body shots land for Smith. Overhand right lands for Smith. Now Molina walks into a left hook. Another left hook lands for Smith. Molina digs to the body. Overhand right lands again for Smith. Left hook upstairs lands for Molina. Both men trading right now. Short left hook lands for Smith. Round to Smith.
Smith 106 Molina 103
ROUND 12 They trade jabs. Left hook lands for Smith. Molina lands a left hook of his own. Poking right lands for Molina. Smith lands a left hook upstairs. Counter right lands for Smith. Molina fires back though. Smith against the ropes now letting Molina fires shots that miss. Smith digs to the body. Molina lands a nice left. They trade left hooks. Smith lands another left hook. Round to Smith.
Smith 116 Molina 112
Official judges scorecards: 117-111 (Molina), 116-112 (Smith), 116-112 (Molina)
THE WINNER BY SPLIT DECISION…CARLOS MOLINA
