By Ryan Burton

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (33-0) is slated to defend his title against Eric Molina (23-2) on June 13th at the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama on a Showtime Championship Boxing televised event.  Wilder won the title in January when he dominated Bermane Stiverne over 12 rounds in Las Vegas.

Wilder's first title defense will take place just outside of his hometown which is music to the champion's ears.

"It feels great considering that we have had a lot of other great champions that came from Alabama that people don't even know (came from Alabama) like Evander Holyfield, Joe Louis and Earnie Shavers.  Me having the opportunity to fight there while still residing there and becoming a champion is an awesome feeling in itself.  Also to be able to bring a commission back there and bring back professional fights is another great feeling alone in itself.  Being able to bring Alabama their first title fight in history is an amazing feeling," said Wilder.

The 29-year-old Wilder understands that in Alabama the Crimson Tide are the biggest sport franchise in the state.  He believes that because boxing is a global sport, he will actually surpass the storied franchise in the state's pecking order.

"The heavyweight champion of the world is from Alabama and that is a state where college football has been big for so long.  Now I can say Deontay Wilder is #1 and Alabama football is #2 because college football is only nationwide and boxing is worldwide.  It is a great feeling to have this fight in Alabama," Wilder told BoxingScene.com.

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