Introduction
Éric Lee Molina (born April 26, 1982) is an American professional boxer who has challenged twice for a world heavyweight championship: the WBC title in 2015 and the IBF title in 2016.
Professional career
Molina turned professional on March 17, 2007; losing his first professional bout by knockout. Despite losing his first pro bout, Molina went on an 18-fight unbeaten streak. On January 18, 2012 he stepped up and fought former two-time world heavyweight title challenger Chris Arreola. Despite losing the fight by first round knockout, Molina did manage to hurt Arreola. Two and a half years later in May 2014, Molina scored his biggest professional career win by stopping former world heavyweight title challenger DaVarryl Williamson in five rounds.
On June 13, 2015 he fought for the WBC world heavyweight title against defending champion Deontay Wilder. Molina hurt the champion during the early rounds, but was knocked out in the ninth round. Molina scored the biggest win of his entire professional career in April 2016 by stopping former two-weight division world champion Tomasz Adamek in the tenth round. Later that year, on December 10, he challenged for the IBF heavyweight title against champion Anthony Joshua in Manchester, England. Molina lost by third-round knockout.
Professional boxing record
| Professional record summary | ||
| 29 fights | 25 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 19 | 4 |
| By decision | 6 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Loss | 25–4 |  Anthony Joshua |
TKO | 3 (12), 2:02 | Dec 10, 2016 | Manchester Arena, Manchester, England |
For IBF heavyweight title |
| 28 | Win | 25–3 |  Tomasz Adamek |
KO | 10 (12), 3:00 | Apr 2, 2016 | Tauron Arena, Kraków, Poland |
Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
| 27 | Win | 24–3 |  Rodricka Ray |
TKO | 6 (6), 1:17 | Sep 10, 2015 | Boggus Ford Events Center, Pharr, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 26 | Loss | 23–3 | Deontay Wilder |
KO | 9 (12), 1:03 | Jun 13, 2015 | Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
For WBC heavyweight title |
| 25 | Win | 23–2 |  Raphael Zumbano Love |
TKO | 8 (8), 1:28 | Jan 17, 2015 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
|
| 24 | Win | 22–2 | Theo Kruger |
TKO | 3 (6), 1:55 | Aug 2, 2014 | Boggus Ford Events Center, Pharr, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 23 | Win | 21–2 | DaVarryl Williamson |
TKO | 5 (10), 2:39 | May 10, 2014 | Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
|
| 22 | Win | 20–2 | Tony Grano |
UD | 12 | Apr 27, 2013 | Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S. |
Won NABF heavyweight title |
| 21 | Win | 19–2 | Andrew Greeley |
UD | 6 | Jun 16, 2012 | Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 20 | Loss | 18–2 | Chris Arreola |
KO | 1 (12), 2:30 | Jan 18, 2012 | American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
Lost WBC–USNBC heavyweight title |
| 19 | Win | 18–1 | Warren Browning |
TKO | 3 (12), 0:24 | Aug 13, 2011 | Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
Won vacant WBC–USNBC heavyweight title |
| 18 | Win | 17–1 | Joseph Rabotte |
TKO | 6 (6), 1:38 | Mar 12, 2011 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
|
| 17 | Win | 16–1 | Rayford Johnson |
UD | 6 | Dec 10, 2010 | Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 16 | Win | 15–1 | Leo Bercier |
RTD | 3 (6), 0:10 | Sep 30, 2010 | Joens Entertainment, Harlingen, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Chris Thomas |
TKO | 4 (10), 0:48 | Jun 18, 2010 | Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S. |
Retained WBC Latino cruiserweight title |
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | Andrew Greeley |
UD | 6 | Feb 6, 2010 | Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | Gabriel Holguin |
UD | 10 | Sep 10, 2009 | Mooncussers, South Padre Island, Texas, U.S. |
Won vacant WBC Latino cruiserweight title |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Clinton Bonds |
KO | 1 (4), 2:38 | Jun 19, 2009 | Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Osvaldo Martinez |
TKO | 3 (8), 0:45 | May 15, 2009 | Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S. |
Retained Texas cruiserweight title |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Rayford Johnson |
TKO | 3 (8), 2:14 | Feb 27, 2009 | Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S. |
Retained Texas cruiserweight title |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | David Robinson |
TKO | 1 (8), 2:51 | Sep 18, 2008 | Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S. |
Won vacant Texas cruiserweight title |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Douglas Robertson |
UD | 4 | Jul 4, 2008 | Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Anthony Greeley |
TKO | 1 (6), 2:38 | Jun 21, 2008 | Rio Grande Valley Harley-Davidson, McAllen, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 6 | Win | 5–1 | Isaac Ruiz |
TKO | 2 (6), 1:10 | Mar 28, 2008 | Municipal Auditorium, Harlingen, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | Robbie McClimans |
TKO | 2 (8), 1:09 | Dec 20, 2007 | Convention Center, Pasadena, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | Brad Bowers |
TKO | 1 (4), 0:44 | Sep 26, 2007 | Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Ras Thompson |
KO | 2 (4), 1:28 | Aug 10, 2007 | Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Tim Harris |
TKO | 1 (4), 2:02 | Jun 22, 2007 | Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S. |
|
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Ashanti Jordan |
KO | 1 (4), 1:45 | Mar 17, 2007 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
Professional debut |