Boxing: Wilder wants big KO in heavyweight title defense
"I love making history," Wilder, 29, said when the bout was announced
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Deontay Wilder vowed to deliver the kind of savage knockout that helped forge his name when he makes his first defense of his World Boxing Council heavyweight world title Saturday against Eric Molina.
"I ve definitely got to knock him out," said the explosive Wilder, who in January became the first American since Shannon Briggs in 2007 to claim a piece of the heavyweight world title with a 12-round decision over Bermane Stiverne.
Of Wilder s 33 wins in as many fights, that s the only bout that went the distance.
"I ve shown people what I can do and I can do it all, but I m definitely known for my knockout," he said. "I don t have the highest knockout rate for nothing, and I ve got to get back to it."
The showdown in Birmingham, Alabama is the first world title fight in Wilder s home state, which also produced past champions Joe Louis and Evander Holyfield.
"I love making history," Wilder, 29, said when the bout was announced.
A victory could pave the way for bigger things -- British standout Tyson Fury or Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko, the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation champion.
Klitschko hasn t lost a fight since 2004, but some think Wilder has the kind of style that could shake up a division that badly needs it.
Only four opponents have made it into the fourth round against Wilder. After going the distance Stiverne was hospitalized for two nights.
Wilder is a heavy favorite against the Texan Molina, who brings a record of 23-2 with 17 knockouts to the bout.
Molina, 33, is coming off an eighth-round stoppage of Raphael Zumbano in Las Vegas in January -- his third straight win inside the distance.
He has won five straight since he was knocked out in the first round by Chris Arreola in February 2012.
"Not too many fighters bounce back from that," Molina said. "I have. It takes a special fighter to come back from that and I know I m that special fighter."
In the run-up to the fight Molina has revelled in his underdog status.
"I m supposed to come in here and Wilder s supposed to run over me," he said. "I ve used it to motivate myself and I ve never been stronger.
"I can punch just like he can punch. This is going to be a very exciting heavyweight fight."
