Saturday, June 13, 2015, Deontay Wilder makes his long-awaited return home as he makes the first defense of his WBC Heavyweight championship against Eric Molina.
The bout will take place at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama and is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team.
The Showtime telecast will air live starting at 9:00 pm, EST.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Wilder vs. Molina and let us know who you think will win.
All photos by Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
Deontay Wilder
vs.
Eric Molina
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
The American Heavyweight champ should walk though Eric Molina easily. Molina’s most notable opponent is Chris Arreola, whom he lost to by knockout in the first round.
I think this is a walk in the park. There seems to be no buffer between truly talented contenders and the mutlitude of flabby-bodied tomato cans for this generation of heavies.
Bring on Wladimir Klitschko or at least Anthony Joshua.
Prediction: Wilder
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
You have to go with Deontay Wilder here. Too big, strong and he appears to remain fiercely determined to capture more gold.
Although he went to the scorecards against Bermane Stiverne, he may have learned more about himself in that bout that all of his other wins, by knockout, combined.
Molina is a big man at 6’4” and he carries a little pop with 17 knockouts but I just don’t see him holding off Wilder.
This bout keeps the champion busy before he is in the ring with the opportunity to win more titles.
Prediction: Wilder
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
Eric Molina is in a lot of trouble. Deontay wilder is too big, too skilled, too motivated and too strong. He wants to defend his title in thrilling fashion in front of his home crowd and has the perfect fighter in front of him to do so.
While Molina’s record is an impressive 23-2, 17 both of those losses came by first-round KO in his pro debut and to Chris Arreola, respectively.
Wilder will blow him away the moment that he decides he wants to get him out of there.
Prediction: Wilder
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
What’s there to say? Back to fighting bums for Deontay Wilder, at least for this one fight.
Expect the same outcome from Wilder, a knockout in the first couple rounds probably while your grabbing a beer out of the fridge. Easy Work.
Prediction: Wilder
Porfirio Barron Jr., Photographer
Deontay Wilder with an early rounds KO over Eric Molina.
Prediction: Wilder
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
RBRBoxing’s Robert Contreras did a cool piece earlier in the week highlighting Deontay Wilder’s top 5 KO’s.
I mention this because this has the potential to crack the top five. I see Wilder wowing his hometown fans and laying Molina out in highlight-reel fashion.
Prediction: Wilder
