Éric Molina


Éric Lee Molina is an American professional boxer. He has challenged twice for a world heavyweight title, in 2015 and 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 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.
On May 22, 2018, Molina was suspended from fighting in the United Kingdom for two years by the UK Anti-Doping organisation after testing positive for the prohibited substance dexamethasone, a substance that the World Anti-Doping Agency lists as being prohibited during the "in competition" period only, following his December 10, 2016 world title fight with Anthony Joshua. The suspension will run from the date of an imposed provisional suspension, which began on October 28, 2017, and will end at midnight on October 27, 2019.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
33Loss27–6 Filip HrgovićKO3, 2:03Dec 7, 2019 Diriyah, Saudi ArabiaFor WBC International heavyweight title
32Win27–5 Nick GuivasUD6Feb 15, 2019 Amigoland Event Center, Brownsville, Texas, U.S.
31Loss26–5 Dominic BreazealeRTD8, 3:00Nov 4, 2017 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
30Win26–4 Jamal Woods6Sep 2, 2017 South Texas Fighting Academy, Palmhurst, Texas, U.S.
29Loss25–4 Anthony JoshuaTKO3, 2:02Dec 10, 2016 Manchester Arena, Manchester, EnglandFor IBF heavyweight title
28Win25–3 Tomasz AdamekKO10, 3:00Apr 2, 2016 Tauron Arena, Kraków, PolandWon vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
27Win24–3 Rodricka RayTKO6, 1:17Sep 10, 2015 Boggus Ford Events Center, Pharr, Texas, U.S.
26Loss23–3 Deontay WilderKO9, 1:03Jun 13, 2015 Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.For WBC heavyweight title
25Win23–2 Raphael Zumbano LoveTKO8, 1:28Jan 17, 2015 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24Win22–2 Theo KrugerTKO3, 1:55Aug 2, 2014 Boggus Ford Events Center, Pharr, Texas, U.S.
23Win21–2 DaVarryl WilliamsonTKO5, 2:39May 10, 2014 Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
22Win20–2 Tony GranoUD12Apr 27, 2013 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S.Won NABF heavyweight title
21Win19–2 Andrew GreeleyUD6Jun 16, 2012 Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S.
20Loss18–2 Chris ArreolaKO1, 2:30Feb 18, 2012 American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.Lost WBC–USNBC heavyweight title
19Win18–1 Warren BrowningTKO3, 0:24Aug 13, 2011 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBC–USNBC heavyweight title
18Win17–1 Joseph RabotteTKO6, 1:38Mar 12, 2011 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
17Win16–1 Rayford JohnsonUD6Dec 10, 2010 Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
16Win15–1 Leo Bercier3, 0:10Sep 30, 2010 Joens Entertainment, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
15Win14–1 Chris ThomasTKO4, 0:48Jun 18, 2010 Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S.Retained WBC Latino cruiserweight title
14Win13–1 Andrew GreeleyUD6Feb 6, 2010 Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S.
13Win12–1 Gabriel HolguinUD10Sep 10, 2009 Mooncussers, South Padre Island, Texas, U.S.Won vacant WBC Latino cruiserweight title
12Win11–1 Clinton BondsKO1, 2:38Jun 19, 2009 Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.
11Win10–1 Osvaldo MartinezTKO3, 0:45May 15, 2009 Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.Retained Texas cruiserweight title
10Win9–1 Rayford JohnsonTKO3, 2:14Feb 27, 2009 Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.Retained Texas cruiserweight title
9Win8–1 David RobinsonTKO1, 2:51Sep 18, 2008 Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.Won vacant Texas cruiserweight title
8Win7–1 Douglas Robertson4Jul 4, 2008 Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.
7Win6–1 Anthony GreeleyTKO1, 2:38Jun 21, 2008 Rio Grande Valley Harley-Davidson, McAllen, Texas, U.S.
6Win5–1 Isaac RuizTKO2, 1:10Mar 28, 2008 Municipal Auditorium, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
5Win4–1 Robbie McClimansTKO2, 1:09Dec 20, 2007 Convention Center, Pasadena, Texas, U.S.
4Win3–1 Brad BowersTKO1, 0:44Sep 26, 2007 Casa de Amistad, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
3Win2–1 Ras ThompsonKO2, 1:28Aug 10, 2007 Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S.
2Win1–1 Tim Harris1, 2:02Jun 22, 2007 Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S.
1Loss0–1 Ashanti Jordan1, 1:45Mar 17, 2007 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.