RAMA, ON – With his sights firmly set on another crack at a world title, former IBF Junior Featherweight world champion Steve “The Canadian Kid” (29-1, 11 KO’s) returns to the ring on Friday, September 4th, to face capable, battle-tested Argentine veteran Sergio Javier Escobar (11-8-1, 2 KO’s), at Rumble at Rama IX, in Rama, Ontario.

The eight round showdown will be the evening’s co-feature, just prior to the WBO Junior Bantamweight title battle between champion Jose Lopez (39-7-2, 32 KO’s) and undefeated 19 year-old upstart Marvin Sonsona (13-0, 12 KO’s).

Molitor rebounded from his devastating loss last November to unified 122 lb. world champion Celestino Caballero with a hard-fought split decision win over Heriberto Ruiz to capture the IBF’s number two ranking, guaranteeing himself a spot in an IBF world title eliminator.

“We need Steve to be as sharp and focused as possible when the IBF decides to proceed with either an eliminator, or a title fight to fill a vacancy,” said Allan Tremblay, President of Orion sports Management.

“And believe me, Escobar will make sure Steve is sharp.“

“Don’t let an 11-8-1 record fool you, Escobar is a tough as they come. He’s one two in a row, and just scored a unanimous decision over a fighter with a 14-1 record.”

Indeed, Escobar’s 11-8-1 record has the makings of a very dangerous mirage, should Molitor not be fully prepared for war.

Escobar is coming off the biggest win of his career, a unanimous decision over hard-punching Julian Aristule. Combine that momentum with the fact that the energized Escobar has never been stopped, and has nothing to lose, and Molitor may be looking at a battle of survival as opposed to a chance to get in some rounds.

Aside from Sonsona-Lopez, and Molitor-Escobar, Canadian Heavyweight champion, Greg “The Steel Pole” Kielsa (10-0, 5 KO’S) will also step through the ropes on the Rumble at Rama IX undercard, as will all-action warriors Justin Fountain, Felix Mercedes, and Pedro DeMello.

Held in Casino Rama’s state-of-the-art 5,200 seat Entertainment Centre, the Rumble at Rama series has firmly established the Casino as the premier venue in which to see the Big Time Excitement of a world-class fight in Ontario. Rumble at Rama IX takes place on Friday, September 4th, with the undercard bouts getting underway at 8:00 pm.  Both the Molitor-Escobar fight and the WBO title match between Lopez and Sonsona will be televised on TSN in Canada, and with national carrier coverage in both the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

Tickets for Rumble at Rama IX will be $125, $75, $50 and $25 and are available in-person at the Casino Rama Box Office, and at all TicketMaster locations, by calling (416) 870-8000 and online at www.casinorama.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes or service charges