Boxing is uniquely unforgiving in nature.  In most other sports, athletes are afforded a rare night off.  Tiger Woods can have a bad round, Sidney Crosby can be held off the scoresheet, and number one ranked tennis players can be ousted by no-names, and all is soon forgotten.

But in the squared circle, a poor performance not only brings with it punishing physical consequences, but oftentimes, staggering career setbacks.  Mind you, the great fighters have always bounced back, sealing their immortal legacies with vengeful performances that erased all doubt of their fistic prowess, and more importantly, their mental fortitude. 

It's now time to find out if Steve Molitor can join that elite group, or fade away into the obscurity all too common for many Canadian prize fighters who failed to live up to their initial billings after withering under those searing television lights.

Molitor, better known as The Canadian Kid, is coming off his first professional loss --- a staggering knockout at the hands of Celestino Caballero --- who not only stole his super bantamweight title, but the air of invincibility he once carried around like a shield. 

Molitor poses with Ruiz during Wednesday's press conference

On Friday night at Rumble at Rama VIII, the Sarnia Ontario native will once again attempt to climb back into contention, taking on tough Mexican Heriberto Ruiz.  It's a fight that could propel the winner into a title shot, since it's expected that Caballero will move up in weight, vacating the belt and allowing the Number 1 and 2 ranked competitors to battle it out for their rightful shot at the title. 

The winner at CasinoRama Friday will secure the number 2 IBF ranking.

"The winner of this fight will be going hypothetically, and probably, straight into a world championship fight, so there's an awful lot on the line here," confirmed Allan Tremblay, President of Orion Sports Management.

Molitor's Knockout Loss To Caballero

Molitor realizes this is the defining moment in his career, and he's intent on making it count.

"Without a doubt it's a huge challenge for me, but I've had great sparring.  I'm just going to go back in there and be the Steve Molitor that I've always been, a slick, cute, southpaw counter-puncher."

"I know there's a lot of questions about who Steve Molitor really is after my last performance, but on Friday night I will prove that I'm a world class fighter, and I'm a great fighter, and the best fighter to ever come out of Canada ."

Molitor took a considerable amount of time off since his last fight, which took place in November 08', and maintains he's fresh and ready to re-establish himself in the boxing world.

"The time off was really important, I had a lot of time to spend with my family, to clear my head and most importantly to give my body a break.  Physically the training that I do is so much on my body.  I needed the break but now I feel rejuvenated and I'm ready to go."

He got an up-close look at Ruiz when he headlined Rumble at Rama VII in March.  In that fight, Ruiz eked out a close victory over Panama 's Mauricio Martinez. 

"I just want to say I'm prepared for this fight, better than my last fight against Martinez," the Mexican pug said through an interpretor.  "I know also that Molitor is a good fighter, so I did my best in training.  I feel comfortable."

Ruiz celebrates his win over Panama's Mauricio Martinez, Rumble at Rama VII

The Canadian Kid's trainer, Billy Martin, is confident his fighter will earn the win, and eventual title shot, if he sticks to the game plan.

"With Steve's speed and movement, showing a lot of angles and his boxing ability, I think that's what's going to give Ruiz a lot of trouble.  As long as Steve doesn't stand still and sit on the ropes and stay still for the guy, I think Steve is going to have an easy night."

For Molitor, who has been humbled by a rare loss, Friday night is all about redemption.  He knows he can't afford another setback, so he's taking his quiet Mexican opponent seriously. 

"I always do my homework on guys I'm about to fight, so I've seen lots of tape on him.  People underestimate him and say 'here's a guy who is a comeback fight for Molitor,' but you've got to remember it's for the number 2 position in the world and he's coming off a big win against Martinez .  He's not a joke and I'm taking him real seriously, he's the real deal."

"I'm just looking forward to Friday night to redeem myself."

michaelt@citytv.com