Tonight at the Bartow Arena, Alabama, Deontay Wilder derailed the senses of challenger Eric Molina in the 9th round. The final knockdown came as the fourth of the fight, which saw Wilder defend his WBC Heavyweight crown.
But that won’t be what boxing fans will be talking about this week. Why? Because Wilder, 29, was supposed to dispose of heavy underdog Molina much quicker according to the pre-fight script. This guy wasn’t exactly Bermane Stiverne (whom Wilder defeated to capture the WBC strap in January).
Yes, the pre-fight script went out the window when Molina (23-3, 17 KO) proved to be quite the handful – even after climbing off the deck on multiple occasions. Molina, who was seen beforehand as a ‘cannor-fodder-type’ opponent (to setup big future fights for Wilder), almost put in a shocker when he landed a hard left-hook in the 3rd round.
The counter-shot buckled the legs of Wilder (34-0, 33 KO), and was the first time observers started to truly ask themselves a lot of questions about both men. Wilder was being made to think. And Molina had some pop in his punch.
Not that Molina, 33, was the bigger puncher tonight. That strength belonged to Wilder, who of course was capable of changing the fight’s rhythm with a single blow. And he did, scoring heavy knockdowns in the 4th, 5th (twice) and 10th rounds.
This wasn’t a pick’ em fight by any means, but it makes you wonder how much good it did for the career of Wilder. He did at least eventually find the knockout, even it meant taking a few shots – fight fans just aren’t used to seeing – along the way.
But the Alabama-native shouldn’t receive too much criticism for his performance here – he just doesn’t deserve it. He may have looked a little less formidable, but he still showed great maturity by beginning his assaults with a good range-finding jab. Something every good Heavyweight should have in their utility belt.
Wilder didn’t look as sensational as he did against Stiverne, and who knows why he made such hard work of his foe tonight? Molina having a few skills up his sleeve – and a heart as big as his native Texas – probably had something to do with it. Will Wilder’s position in the Heavyweight rankings shift a lot? Unlikely.
The decent undercard included a bout of two undefeated fighters. Dejan Zlatican stopped Ivan Redkach in the 4th round. You can read our full Wilder vs Molina Undercard report here.
Catch SHOWTIME’s 9th round Wilder vs Molina final knockdown below:
Wilder vs Molina: Round by Round
Round 1: Wilder gets off piston-like long, long jabs. Favorite looks cautious, patient. More jabs. Stalking Molina. Right-hand from Wilder. Molina rides it. Molina throws a few shots in closing seconds, but fails to land. Wilder, 10-9.
Round 2: Molina looks very apprehensive, out of his depth here. Afraid of a looming Wilder right-hand. A couple of wild looping right-hands from Molina hit nothing but air. Still, you can sense a Wilder knockout coming any second. Molina knows how to evade Wilder’s danger shot, and it gets him through the round still unscathed. Will he survive another? Wilder, 10-9 (20-18).
Round 3: Wilder working off jab again. Molina tags Wilder in exchange! Then rocks him again with a counter left-hook! No follow up from Molina, pace slows down. Wilder takes a left counter-hook, Wilder lands a right-hand that registers. Wilder opens up and lands some serious leather. Interesting round that will no doubt get the boxing fandom’s chin wagging. Wilder is perhaps guilty of letting Molina into this fight. Molina, 10-9 (29-28).
Round 4: Wilder jab again. Left-hook gets in, doesn’t shake Molina. More sharp jabs. Molina lands right-hook – perhaps to the glove of Wilder. Wilder drops Molina with left-hook in final seconds of round. Molina climbs to his feet just about. The end is surely near for this underdog. Wilder, 10-8 (39-36).
Round 5: Wilder seems to be liking his left in this fight. Starts with jabs, then throws a left-hook. Molina charges in with attack that misses target. Wilder’s hands low, relying on his reflexes on ropes. A risky move as Molina has demonstrated his own power already. Molina staggered by shot, sent across the ring, turns his back on ropes, then is dropped by long left-hand from Wilder. Molina bravely beats the count. Molina dropped again, but beats count. Molina lands left-hook. Clock runs out! Wilder, 10-7 (49-43).
Round 6: Nothing reckless from Wilder. Jabs. Jabs. Big right-hand from Wilder. Big left-hook snaps back Molina’s head. And another on ropes. Another follows shortly after at center-ring. Molina still in fight. Another left-hook yet again. Molina surviving, hurt. Sees the bell. Just… Wilder, 10-9 (59-52).
Round 7: Somehow it’s reached this stage. Yes. Molina comes forward with missing left-hook. Wilder left-hook stuns Molina. Molina holds, Wilder looks ‘wild’, can’t finish. Molina looking worn, fatigued. Molina comes forward again. One can’t help but wonder if Wilder is making hard work of this guy. And even, if Wilder is tiring himself. Molina goes to body, has earned his money tonight, and sees another bell. Wilder, 10-9 (69-61).
Round 8: Wilder’s stock could be falling if Molina sees another round through. Molina forces Wilder back in opening seconds. Right-hand from Wilder. Molina sticks out tongue, really making Wilder think in this fight. Molina lands a couple of solid right-hands. Wilder feels them. One-two from Wilder. Molina lands to body. And again. Molina uppercut. And again. Has to be a Molina round here – shockingly! Molina, 10-9 (78-71).
Round 9: Molina quickly caught with huge right-hand counter that drops him hard. Referee doesn’t bother counting, and quite rightly so. It’s over.
Result: Wilder wins via 9th round TKO, retaining his WBC Heavyweight title
What are your thoughts on Wilder vs Molina? Was this homecoming bout more damaging than career-inflating for Wilder? Let us know, fight fans!
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