By Edward Chaykovsky
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs) is pumped for his upcoming defense against WBC #14 rated Eric Molina (23-2, 17 KOs) at the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama on June 13. Showtime will be televising the contest. It will be Wilder's first defense since winning the world title from Bermane Stiverne in January. Wilder has not fought back home since 2012.
“Now I'm able to bring it back to the state of Alabama as a champion,” Wilder said to the Tuscaloosa News. “I can give Alabama its very first title fight in history. And I'm all about making history.”
Wilder's manager Jay Deas told the paper that tickets will go on Thursday. He expects a big crowd of support for the hometown champion. After capturing the world crown, Wilder was honored several times over back home. He hopes to face unified king Wladimir Klitschko within the year.
“This is something we've wanted to do for a long time. This is making history,” Deas said. “It's Deontay Wilder, hometown guy, he stayed here, he trained here, he didn't leave. So it's a tremendous thing and it's a great time for Alabama, Tuscaloosa to show the world and Showtime TV what we can do and how we can pack it out.”
