by German Villasenor

Los Angeles, CA - Getting a KO win against slick Dannie Williams seems to have gone a long way for John ''Gladiator'' Molina to clear the air regarding his loss against (now former) WBC Lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco back in September of last year.

Taking as little possible time off, landing a WBO NABO Lightweight title shot against Williams and a change in trainers seems to have been a good move to start the year with the right foot forward.

John agrees.

''Getting the first fight back, training under Robert Garcia and getting my name back in the win column is what I needed.''

The move now is to position Molina for a big title fight at 135 or 140 as soon as possible.

The change in trainers seems to have been a good choice and helped that Molina's long time adviser and manager, Sergio Diaz has ties with Robert Garcia (via Antonio Margarito) whom Garcia trained for a few fights before ''The Tijuana Tornado's'' retirement.

Molina expanded on the subject.

''I had a meeting with my team, (Sergio Diaz, John's father) and Robert was on the list, we felt he was the best choice, approached him and he took me in with open arms ''.

Calling Covina, California home, a good two hours away from Oxnard where Garcia lives and trains his fighter made it necessary for the new father in Molina to make the temporary move down to Oxnard.

''I have a place with everything I need in Oxnard, driving from home (Covina) is very far to do it on a daily basis, so I just stay down there during training. It's a small sacrifice to make for my family''.

Molina's power in his right hand is well know in boxing circles, although the tall fighter 25-2, (20KOs) fighter can also punch with his left hand, he has a high-light reel of KO's in his ledger, so the stoppage over the respected Williams goes a long way in reestablishing the boxer in the prospective world title challengers.

His aggressive stance, nonsense style and a deep desire that the DeMarco fight was a fluke led to the impressive KO over Williams at 2:14 in the fourth round.

If there is a thing people love is a fight with power, which leads to KO's, and that, Molina has plenty of, the shot landed on Williams temple was a good one, although glancing a bit made it possible for Williams to regain his vertical stance- although standing outside the wrong side of the ropes and clearly separated from his senses.

''The shot was not full force, it was a clean shot, but if it had landed flush, he (Williams) would have been asleep, instead of down only''

''After the first round, he felt some of my power and changed the way he usually fights, I know I gained his respect.' Molina concluded regarding the Williams fight.

The fighter moves on, looking on to brighter things and putting the DeMarco fight to rest.

''I had a meeting with my management team this weekend and will be deciding shortly what comes next, I'm comfortable at 135, but if a big fight comes at 140, I will take it!