WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and his team celebrate following his victory over Eric Molina (Photo: Instagram)

By Chris Robinson

In front of a sold out crowd of 8,500 inside of the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala., WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (34-0, 33 KO’s) scored a successful first defense of his title vs. tough Eric Molina (23-3, 17 KO’s).

Wilder was a huge favorite heading into the fight but actually had some rocky moments when he was caught in the third round. Following that stanza, Wilder regrouped and scored a knockdown in the fourth, two in the fifth, before finishing the match off with a big overhand right that put his opponent out and on his back.

“You already know… #AndStill,” Wilder stated via social media following the match, as he posted a photo of himself and his team holding his belt.

The attention will now surely turn to a possible matchup between Wilder and former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin, who is fresh off of a first round stoppage over Mike Perez last month.

Stay tuned for more details from Wilder’s victory.

Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com