Wilder retains WBC heavyweight title with knockout of Molina

Deontay Wilder punches Eric Molina during the WBC heavyweight boxing match, Saturday, June 13, 2015, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Deontay Wilder successfully defended his WBC heavyweight title with a ninth-round knockout of Eric Molina on Saturday night at Bartow Arena, a short drive from his hometown.

Wilder (34-0) delivered a right hand that turned Molina around and sent him falling on his back after a couple of follow-up punches. The referee quickly signaled that the fight was over, probably several rounds later than many observers expected with Wilder a heavy favorite.

“I was really surprised he kept coming and hanging in there,” Wilder said. “A lot of people said he wouldn’t even be around, he wouldn’t last. There were a lot of doubters, but he showed a lot of heart and I needed that kind of guy to fight here in Alabama.

The 6-foot-7 Wilder knocked down Molina (23-3) in the fourth and twice again in the fifth, practically running across the ring after him before Molina went down the third time. The Texan withstood barrages to the head in the sixth from Wilder, but came back strong two rounds later, landing some hard body shots.

It ended 1:57 into the ninth.

Wilder had become the first American heavyweight to claim a piece of the title with a Jan. 17 unanimous decision over Bermane Stiverne. That came after Wilder had recorded 32 consecutive knockouts within the first four rounds.

This one went deep, too, against Molina, who some bookmakers had installed as a 50-to-1 underdog. He was trying to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion.

“I brought everything I’ve got and I tried my hardest,” he said. “Not the result I wanted but what can I do? I’m just blessed that I got this opportunity to come out and fight for the heavyweight championship of the world. Deontay, to me, is a great fighter and I hope and want him to do great things as the heavyweight champ.”

Wilder is hoping to fight twice more in 2015, ultimately seeking a matchup with Wladimir Klitschko, who owns the other belts. He proclaimed afterward this title defense will be the “first of many.”

Wilder, who had surgery on his right hand after the Stiverne fight, delivered some of his best blows with the left hook. He landed 141 of 303 punches (47 percent). Molina had connected on about three-quarters of his power punches in his last fight, but was 49 of 188 overall (26 percent).

More known for his powerful right hand, Wilder knocked Molina down with a left hook in the final seconds of the fourth.

The match about an hour from Wilder’s hometown of Tuscaloosa was his first fight in Alabama since 2012, and the state’s first title fight in any weight class. Not surprisingly, the sellout crowd on the UAB campus was almost exclusively cheering for Wilder, booing Molina whenever he was shown on the video screen before the fight.

Don King, Molina’s 83-year-old promoter, stood in the center of the ring waving a number of flags in the air during the pre-fight introductions.

Four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, who was born in Atmore, Alabama, watched from the stands.