Deontay Wilder vs. Eric Molina: Fight Time, Date, Preview and TV Info
The "Bronze Bomber" Deontay Wilder (33-0, 32 KO) will defend his WBC world heavyweight title on Saturday night against Eric "Drummer Boy" Molina (23-2, 17 KO) in the champ's home state of Alabama. Expect a raucous crowd all in favor of Wilder at the Bartow Arena in Birmingham.
Wilder is the only American heavyweight champion in the sport and the lone serious hope the United States currently has of dethroning Wladimir Klitschko as the lineal title holder in boxing's glamour division.
The bout with Molina will be Wilder's first defense and the first title fight of any kind in the state of Alabama.
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When: Saturday, June 13 at 9 p.m. ET
Where: Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama
TV: Showtime
Last Time Out
Wilder
In January, Wilder became the first American world heavyweight champion since Shannon Briggs lost the WBO title to Sultan Ibragimov in 2007. Wilder won the title via dominant unanimous decision over Bermane Stiverne.
The decision win stopped Wilder's streak of 32 consecutive knockouts to begin his career, but his stock still improved overall. He came into the fight known as a one-dimensional and wild slugger with massive punching power.
By the time it was over, there was a greater respect for Wilder's jab, movement and overall boxing skills.
Molina
On the undercard of the Wilder-Stiverne bout, Molina scored an eighth-round TKO win over Raphael Zumbano Love. Molina hasn't faced many recognizable names. His most well-known opponent up to now has been Chris Arreola. Molina lost that bout against Arreola via first-round knockout back in 2012.
Since then, he's won five fights in a row, but all against low-level competition. Wilder will be far and away the best opponent he's ever faced.
What's at Stake
Wilder
Everything is on the line for Wilder. A loss would be hugely embarrassing in front of his home crowd and for the entire nation. In the video below from Showtime Boxing, Wilder talks about what fighting in Alabama means to him:
Wilder carries the hopes of American boxing fans who long for a longstanding and respectable heavyweight champion.
Fair or not, the sport's popularity is at its height when an American is considered the top fighter in the heavyweight division. Wilder clearly has the best chance of anyone stateside to beat Klitschko
A loss to Molina would make Wilder a joke.
Molina
There's clearly nothing to lose for Molina in this fight. He comes in as a 14-1 underdog, per Odds Shark. If he gets knocked out in the first round, no one would think any more or less of him. He does have some decent power, as evidenced by his 17 knockouts in 25 bouts. He may as well come out looking to land a huge shot early.
It's likely his only chance.
Who Wins
If Wilder loses this fight it would be the biggest upset of the year and one of the most disappointing outcomes in boxing in a long while. Usually, it's not good to root for one fighter over the other in print, but many journalists might make the exception in this case.
It's nothing personal against Molina, but Wilder needs to win for the sport's future. Bleacher Report's Briggs Seekins agrees. He writes:
"I often pull for the underdog when I'm watching a fight. Rocky-style upsets are exciting for the sport and engage fans.
However, if Molina manages to beat Wilder, it will be a nightmare for the sport. Wilder has been the most promising American heavyweight to emerge in a generation. If the lightly regarded Molina manages to upset him, it will merely tear down Wilder, not build up Molina, who will remain a guy who was knocked out in the first round by Arreola.
"
Briggs and anyone who might be concerned can rest their worries. Wilder is going to knock Molina out inside of three rounds. Wilder comes in with a three-inch height advantage, a four-inch edge in reach and tons more athleticism and raw power.
Look for this one to end inside of three rounds.
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