By Jake Donovan
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Heavyweight world champion Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs) will make the second defense of his title when he faces France's Johann "Reptile" Duhaupas (32-2, 20 KOs) in primetime on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC Saturday, September 26 from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Televised coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT with exciting undefeated brawler Omar "Panterita" Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs) returning to the ring to battle former world champion Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs) in 12 rounds of super lightweight action.
This fight will signify the return of heavyweight world championship boxing in primetime on NBC. This is the first heavyweight title bout in primetime on NBC since May 20, 1985, when another undefeated American heavyweight world champion, Larry Holmes, defended his title against Carl Williams in Reno, Nevada with legendary broadcaster Marv Albert on the call, just as he will be on September 26. Now, Wilder looks to pick up where Holmes left off and deliver world-class heavyweight action right into sports fans' living rooms.
Wilder returns to his home state to defend his title for the second time this year after knocking out Eric Molina in the ninth round of their June bout. Wilder won his world title with a dominating performance against former champion Bermane Stiverne in January and became the first undefeated American to win a heavyweight title since Michael Moorer in 1994 and the first U.S. born heavyweight champion since Shannon Briggs in 2006.