When Contenders Clothing started Fight Club, our endorsement program for professional boxers and MMA fighters, it was important to us to work with athletes that represent what we stand for.

Contenders isn’t about silver spoon athletes who started their careers with powerful managers and promoters. We wanted to work with the underdogs. The relentless hard-workers. The never-say-die fighters whose careers are an inspiration to us in our own lives.

With that said, we’d like to welcome our second official Fight Club member, a man who defines what Contenders is all about… John Molina Jr.

The man known as ‘The Gladiator’ caught our attention this past February when he was in an all-out war with the undefeated Omar Figueroa Jr. on national television. Rocking Karate Kid-themed trunks, John showed off his good taste in movies and clothing by complimenting his in-ring gear by wearing our Cobra Kai boxer briefs at his weigh-in, a Cobra Kai hat and t-shirt at his media workout and press conference. John even showed up on the front page of ESPN.COM’s boxing page rocking our No Mercy t-shirt.

So why did John choose to rock Contenders Clothing? As the man himself puts it…

“As soon as I saw the designs, I was an instant fan. I knew Contenders was a brand I had to be involved with.” 

Molina has not had an easy road in his career. When he turned professional, no one, with the exception of John himself, would of guessed he would become a world class fighter. He overcame a surprisingly late start in boxing by displaying a tireless work ethic, willingness to fight anyone and one hell of a right hand.

Now, nearing the milestone of 40 professional fights, it’s his resume, a mind-blowing who’s who of current and former world champions, that is really impressive. Molina twice challenged for a world title including a 2016 bout against arguably the current pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet, Terence Crawford.

Outside of his two world title shots, several of John’s fights have been considered Fight of the Year candidates. From his upset victory over former world champion, Ruslan Provodnikov, to his come from behind KO win over future world champion, Mickey Bey, one thing is sure about a John Molina fight, it’s gonna be a war.

Despite all he has accomplished against the odds, the 36-year-old ,who is also a devoted family man, is far from done with his career. Molina is now moving up to welterweight, the hottest division in the sport, and making one last run at the world title that he’s come so close to winning. 

John will return to the ring this July on one of the biggest boxing events of the year when he takes on yet another former world champion, Sergey Lipinets, on the undercard of the mega fight between Manny Pacquiao vs. Keith Thurman.

Playing the role of the underdog once again in a major televised fight, a win for Molina would put him back into title contention and set him up for a major fight later this year.

“When it comes to Contenders, I’m the epitome of the word”, explains Molina. “The whole career I have fought for everything I’ve earned. It hasn’t been easy but it’s been worth it. It’s a pleasure to be with a company that respects and supports that kind of athlete.”

The pleasure is all ours, John. Your #dontquit attitude in the ring and in life is what Contenders is all about. Welcome to Fight Club!

About Contenders Fight Club:

Contenders Clothing established Fight Club, our endorsement program for professional boxers and MMA fighters in 2019. The first athlete signed to Fight Club was boxer, Francisco ‘Chia’ Santana who pulled off one of the biggest upsets of 2018 after wearing Contenders boxer briefs at a weigh-in. The second fighter to join Fight Club is one of the most exciting fighters in all of boxing, John ‘The Gladiator’ Molina. John has been in multiple fights considered to be the Fight of the Year and twice challenged for the world title. Contenders Clothing will be announcing the next member of Fight Club in June.