Oliver Stays Busy While Waiting for Molitor By Stephen Tobey (May 7, 2008) Send this page to friend Give us your feedback If Mike Oliver’s patience is wearing thin, it’s understandable. Since Oliver defeated Cruz Carbajal in an International Boxing Federation super bantamweight title eliminator last July, IBF titleholder Steve Molitor has defended his title twice. Neither fight was against Oliver. Wednesday evening, Oliver will have his second fight since the Carbajal fight. His opponent will not be Molitor; it will be Reynaldo Lopez in the main event of an ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights at The Roxy in Boston. Originally, Oliver (ranked No. 2 by the IBF) was supposed to fight another IBF title eliminator on Wednesday against Julio Zarate, but the fight fell through during the negotiation process. “It just makes me more mad,” said Oliver, who is 21-0 with seven knockouts and holds the U.S. Boxing Association and International Boxing Organization titles at 122 pounds. “I was supposed to be the next in line. I feel like the IBF has been jerking me around and they’re trying to protect Steve Molitor.” After defeating Carbajal, Oliver’s next fight was in November, when he won the vacant IBO title with a 12-round decision over Al Seeger at Mohegan Sun, about an hour from Oliver’s hometown of Hartford, Conn. Oliver was supposed to fight again in February, but he sustained a hand injury. “I’ve recovered from it,” Oliver said. “It was mostly just a bruise, but I’m completely recovered.” Lopez, a native of Columbia who has been fighting professionally for 14 years, is 28-5-2, with 19 KOs. Oliver admits he knows little about him, but has faith in his trainer, John Scully, to make sure he’s prepared. “He watched the tapes,” said Oliver, who has been with Scully for about 2 ½ years. “I’ve gotten 100 percent better. He puts pressure on me and I like that.” Though Wednesday’s fight is no longer officially considered an IBF title eliminator, Oliver knows his chance to fight for the IBF title is very much at stake. “Every fight is important,” he said. “I have to prove to the IBF what I can do. I have the USBA and IBO belts. Now I really want the IBF belt.” For Questions or Comments E-mail Stephen Tobey Today's Boxing Press Discuss this Topic - Go to the forums