(AUG 6) Harrison, NJ — Top rated bantamweight contender Steve “The Canadian” Kid” Molitor will move up to the jr. featherweight division when he takes on the tough, durable and awkward Debind “The Nepal Tiger” Thapa on the 10-round main event of the upcoming August 19 show at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany, NJ.
Molitor (20-0, 6 KOs) has chosen to make his third appearance on U.S.soil a significant one, opting to take on a difficult assignment rather than facing the proverbial 50-50-record opponent. “You get nowhere fighting nobodies and the fight against Thapa is a demonstration of how much faith we have in Steve,” says his manager James Jardine. “Steve wants to become a world champion. He knows that to prepare for his eventual title opportunity he needs to overcome certain obstacles. Thapa is the current obstacle but Steve will deliver in a big way.”
Born in Sarnia, Ontario, Molitor (IBF # 3, #9 WBA) was born to box. His success in the amateur ranks, where he won numerous national and international meets, propelled him to the pro ranks as highly sought after prospect. He is now in a position to show his skills to the rest of the world, especially the United States. He has not been protected and sheltered despite having fought predominantly in his native Canada. During his young professional career, “The Canadian Kid” has also traveled to his opponent’s backyard on more than one occasion. He fought in Michigan against American Mark McQueen in just his third bout; he ventured out to England to face Briton Nicky Booth, snatching the Commonwealth (British Empire) Bantamweight title in the process. He later returned to England to defeat John Mackay in eight rounds.
Fighting Thapa [a NJ resident] in New Jersey, will not affect Molitor’s confidence. “I know what I need to do inside the ring to win,” says Molitor. “I fought all over the world as an amateur and this is nothing new to me. Come August 19, I will be one step closer to a world championship.”
Debind Thapa (20-3-1, 11 KOs) on the other hand sees this as his biggest opportunity. The Nepal native has had a tough time lining up opponents the last two years. Because of his awkward but effective style, not many fighters have been willing to lace up the gloves against “The Nepal Tiger,” leaving him frustrated at times, not being able to focus on his career as he would have liked — hence the less than impressive performances in his past two outings (a draw and a technical victory against Juan Carlos Jacobo). Two of his three losses in his ledger have come against tough contenders, and for two NABF title attempts. The loss against Phillip Payne came via split decision in a six-round bout, just as Thapa was beginning to warm up. With newfound faith and dedication, Thapa now promises to seize the opportunity against Molitor and show that he belongs among the best 122 pounders in the world.
The Molitor-Thapa 10-round main event will complement what is already shaping up to be a terrific card, with local NJ talent showcasing their talents. This will be KEA Boxing’s third show in three months with at least three more planned before the end of the year. Last April 8, current USBA Jr. Featherweight champion Agapito Sanchez impressively stopped Ivan Alvarez at the end of eight rounds, while on June 17 Bayonne’s Bobby Rooney (5-1, 3 KOs) destroyed Darin Reed in
the first round during a night of five explosive knockouts. Rooney will again be part of the August 19 show, meeting Jameson Bostic in a six-round light heavyweight attraction. “The New Polish Sensation” Pawal Wolak (6-0, 4 KOs) will fight Kareem Robinson of Philadelphia in a 6-round jr. middleweight bout and Sean Ecklund, nephew of the popular Micky Ward, will look to score his first professional victory when he takes on Randy Bileski of Winnipeg, Canada.
Lyndhurst’s Wayne Johnsen (8-0, 5 KOs) will look to add to his already impressive record of victories, while Sharon Gaines will face Kim Colbert of Southfield, MI. Additionally Noriko Kariya (1-0) will fight the familiar and tough Camille Casson, and Danny McDermott will see action against an opponent to be announced.