Deontay Wilder, the WBC heavyweight champion of the world, is making his first title defense on June 13 on Showtime, but the knockout artist underwhelmed with his choice of opponent.
Wilder will be facing Eric "Drummer Boy" Molina, a little-known fighter out of Texas with a 23-2-0 record that features 17 knockouts. Molina hasn't lost since a 2012 defeat vs. Chris Arreola, in which he was knocked out in the first round; since that fight, he has won five straight bouts, the last three by knockout.
The problem for Molina, the ninth-ranked heavyweight per the WBC, is that Arreola is the only name fighter on his resume and it was a quick defeat. Wilder defended the choice of Molina, claiming other potential opponents priced themselves out of the title shot.
"We have a lot of other opponents, but Molina was the one to understand the opportunity that lies at hand," Wilder said.
"Some people can price themselves out and some teams make it so difficult that the fight won't happen. They can really block themselves out from getting the fight. You can have the money or the opportunity. Molina understands what the situation is, and he stepped up to the plate and he understands the opportunity at hand to be the world heavyweight champion."
Wilder will be in the ring for the first time since winning the title from Bermane Stiverne in January. Stiverne was the biggest test of Wilder's career, and although Wilder routed him in a unanimous decision victory it was the first fight of his career that didn't end in a knockout.
Wilder also fractured his hand in the win, which might explain the lack of zip on some of his punches.
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