BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will fight Frenchman Johann Duhaupas in the first prime-time heavyweight title bout televised by NBC in 20 years.
The Sept. 26 fight, previously reported by multiple media outlets, was officially announced Thursday at a news conference at Legacy Arena. It will be part of the Premier Boxing Champions series.
NBC hasn't hosted a heavyweight title fight in prime time since May 20, 1985 when champion Larry Holmes defeated Carl Williams.
An Alabama native, Wilder is 34-0 with 33 knockouts, including a June victory over Eric Molina in Birmingham. Duhaupas is 32-2 with 20 knockouts and will make his U.S. debut.
Super lightweight Omar Figueroa, 25-0-1 with 18 knockouts, will face former world champion Antonio DeMarco in the 12-round undercard. Demarco is 31-5-1 with 23 knockouts.
