88R24317 JRI-D
By: Longoria H.R. No. 1208
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Native Texan Eric Molina concluded his decorated
career as a professional boxer in 2023, and his accomplishments in
the ring are indeed deserving of recognition; and
WHEREAS, The "Drummer Boy," as he is known to his fans, made
his professional debut on March 17, 2007; despite losing that bout,
Mr. Molina soon launched a triumphant run, emerging victorious in
his next 18 fights; over the course of his 16 years as a
professional, he captured the World Boxing Council Latino
Championship in 2009, the WBC U.S. Heavyweight Championship in
2011, and the WBC North American Boxing Federation Heavyweight
Championship in 2013; on June 13, 2015, he faced Deontay Wilder for
the WBC World Heavyweight Championship in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and
the following year, he earned another chance at the heavyweight
belt against Anthony Joshua; after matching up against Simon Kean
on March 23, 2023, in Montreal, Canada, he retired with a career
record of 29 wins and 9 losses with 21 knockouts; and
WHEREAS, The son of Ricardo and Debbie Molina, Eric Molina
was born in Raymondville and raised in Sebastian; he graduated from
Lyford High School in 2000 and went on to receive a bachelor's
degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master's degree in
special education from The University of Texas at Brownsville;
throughout much of his boxing career, he also worked as a special
education teacher for the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School
District, and since 2019, he has served as the assistant director of
the City of Edinburg Parks and Recreation Department; in all his
endeavors, he benefits from the love and support of his wife,
Yesenia; and
WHEREAS, Eric Molina has proven himself a boxer of
exceptional ability and unrelenting determination, and his
brilliance in the ring will continue to be fondly remembered across
the Lone Star State and beyond for many years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Eric Molina for his achievements in
professional boxing and extend to him sincere best wishes for the
future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Molina as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.