STEVE MOLITOR vs TAKALANI NDLOVU

The odds at the sportsbooks suggest a win for Steve Molitor is almost a formality when the “Canadian Kid” meets Takalani Ndlovu for the vacant IBF junior featherweight title at Casino Rama in Ontario on Saturday night (TV coverage on TSN in Canada), and of course the odds could be right. Molitor will again be on home ground at Casino Rama, and he dominated the first meeting between the two three years ago, outclassing Ndlovu before dropping him three times for a highly impressive ninth-round stoppage win.

In bouts against common opponents, Molitor has the far better results. He easily outpointed Fernando Beltran Jr., who subsequently defeated Ndlovu. Molitor was also a comfortable winner over Ricardo Castillo, whereas Ndlovu was hard pressed in winning a split decision over the Mexican fighter.

There have been subtle changes since the first fight between Molitor and Ndlovu, though.

Molitor suffered his first defeat in crushing fashion when he was overpowered in four rounds by Celestino Caballero on Showtime in November, 2008, losing the IBF title in his sixth defence, and although he has won three bouts since he hasn’t looked quite the same fighter as he was before the towering Panamanian blasted right through him.

When Molitor outpointed Heriberto Ruiz in an IBF elimination bout last June he had a tentative look, and he was merely workmanlike in two subsequent fights.

Ndlovu, meanwhile, looked sharp when he outpointed Kiko Martinez in an IBF title eliminator last September. That might have been Ndlovu’s best performance. Down from a left hook in the first round, he controlled the remainder of the fight with the left jab, quick right hands and some impressive combinations to the body. Martinez was made for Ndlovu, though, a stocky, straight-ahead slugger. Molitor, with his southpaw stance and quick, clever moves, is a different proposition.

Still, despite what happened three years ago I do give Ndlovu a chance in the rematch. I have the concern that Molitor’s devastating defeat against Caballero might have taken something out of the Canadian fighter. I think that Molitor is slightly better all-around than Ndlovu, his style is always likely to bother the South African boxer, and, on home ground, he should be able to regain the title with a win on points — but I find myself not nearly as sure of the result as I was the first time the two met.