Carlos Molina Arrested: Boxer Could Miss Bout On Canelo Vs Angula Card Due To Immigration Hold

Though he’s set to defend his junior middleweight title against undefeated Jermall Charlo as part of the undercard featuring the highly-anticipated bout between Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Alfredo Angulo, numerous reports indicate that Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KO) may not make the scheduled fight due to a recent arrest. The 30-year-old title-holder was originally scheduled to take weigh in for the bout on Friday, March 8 before stepping into the ropes for an interesting contest against Charlo (17-0, 13 KO) the very next day.

The Mexican star -- who triumphed in his last three bouts against Ishe Smith, Cory Spinks and Damian Frias -- was arrested in Las Vegas on Tuesday morning with complications stemming from an outstanding warrant for failing to register as a sex offender. Molina received the warrant in 2007 in Wisconsin and even though this situation was handled after Molina was granted bail, the upcoming bout from the Las Vegas MGM Grand was quickly put into question when those in his camp and Vegas police learned that immigration officials were looking for the junior middleweight champ.

Molina -- who was born in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico -- earned his title by defeated Ishe Smith in September but despite his optimism with regard to his chances of holding onto his belt against undefeated Jermall Charlo, the highly-touted fighter will now be forced to deal with bigger and more pressing issues. Warriors Boxing promoter Leon Margules, who works hand-in-hand with many fighters linked to the brand, told reporters recently that everyone involved with Molina’s situation continue to try to resolve the serious matter ahead of the Saturday showdown.

"We're still working on getting him out of jail," Margules told ESPN shortly after Molina missed his press conference. "There is an immigration hold on him and we're trying to figure everything out. I'm doing my best. Carlos just said, 'Get me out, I want to fight. In 2001, when he was 18 years old -- and I'm just learning all this this week -- he got arrested for statutory rape. She was 16 or 15, two teenagers. Not knowing how it would impact his life at all, he pled guilty to time served in Appleton, Wis., and did three years’ probation and never registered as a sex offender.

“That was what the warrant was for,” he continued. “I worked it out. We spoke to Wisconsin and we agreed on a $10,000 bond. I posted the bond. He was supposed to be out by 10 or 11 and be at the press conference. Then we found out there was an immigration hold. I thought he was a citizen. He was a permanent resident. I'm working on it. Do I think I'm getting him out? I have no idea. I thought I was getting him out Thursday morning. I'm trying to get to the bottom of what the actual issue is. The first time I heard the word 'immigration' was when he was bailing out of jail.”

Prior to the arrest, Carlos Molina and Jermall Charlo were set to meet Saturday, March 8 at 9 p.m., ET from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. If the fight continues as planned, fans will be able to watch the bout through Showtime pay-per-view.