IBF title holder Molina facing deportation

The promoter for jailed boxer Carlos Molina says attorneys in Wisconsin, Nevada and California are working to free the title-holding fighter following his arrest earlier this month in Las Vegas. (Eric Jamison/AP)

LAS VEGAS — U.S. immigration officials say IBF light middleweight champion Carlos Molina was deported once before, and faces removal again following his arrest in Las Vegas ahead of a scheduled weekend fight.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement official Lori Haley in California said Friday the 30-year-old Molina was previously deported in 2006.

Molina was arrested Tuesday by Las Vegas police on a felony warrant issued in Wisconsin in January 2007 accusing him of failing to register as a sex offender.

He remained jailed Friday pending transfer to ICE custody and deportation proceedings.

Molina had been scheduled to defend his title Saturday night against Jermall Charlo at the MGM Grand Garden arena on the Las Vegas Strip. The bout was an undercard matchup before a super welterweight fight between Canelo Alvarez and Alfredo Angulo.

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