Deontay Wilder will travel just up the road from his hometown for his first title defense of his WBC heavyweight title.

The Tuscaloosa native will face Eric Molina of Texas on June 13 at Bartow Arena on the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus. Not only will it mark the first time a professional boxing championship of any weight division has occurred in Alabama, it will also bring a major economic boost to the region.

Producer Joseph Allen and videographer David Macon caught up with Wilder recently in his hometown.

Deontay Wilder from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.