Deontay Wilder Says This Year Will Be “All About Tune-Ups,” Before A “Return To The Big Leagues” In 2026
Deontay Wilder makes his return to the ring on Friday live on PPV.com, and as fans know, Wilder is not stepping in with a big name or a known force. Instead, in facing Tyrrel Herndon in what the former WBC heavyweight champion says will be the first in a number of “tune-up” bouts that he will engage in this year, the 39 year old says he will be taking things nice and slow, this as he attempts to refine his tools and even improve them.
Wilder, who spoke with The Ring, said he plans on having a few tune-ups this year, before he makes a “return to the big leagues” next year. And, if he beats Herndon, preferably by devastating KO, and then proceeds to get some decent momentum going with subsequent KO wins, there are still some big fights out there for “The Bronze Bomber.”
Who Will Wilder Fight Next?
“I have accomplished a lot,” Wilder said. “I had opportunities to come back and fight against big names, but this year is going to be about tune-ups and make sure what I say is what I am still capable of. Once I complete these tasks, next year is back to the big leagues. I don’t have anything left to prove. I have a state-funded statue back home. Here I am once again, ready to go, baby”
Wilder, who has actually picked up one solitary win over the last six years, this his October 2022 icing of Robert Helenius, needs to show us all, and most importantly himself, that he still has it. The comeback – or the “return” as Wilder puts it – begins against Herndon, 24-5(15). After that, assuming he looks and feels good, Wilder may fight two, even three more times this year. We will have to wait and see. But at this stage of his career, are there really any improvements Wilder can make to his game?
Wilder, 43-4-1(42) says he wants to “make sure everything is back and functioning back to how I used to be, and even better.”
And Wilder, who was can’t-miss, X-rated entertainment when he was doing his thing prior to running into Tyson Fury (and their third fight was an absolute classic), will no doubt have plenty of fans hoping he can get back what he once had. Even if it’s not not quite all of it. For Wilder is, or was, a uniquely blessed puncher. We’d like to see more of those chilling Wilder knockouts.
Deontay Wilder: “Quitting Was Never an Option” — Boxing Isn’t a Game, It’s Survival
Deontay Wilder might just be one of the most emotional fighters in the sport right now. Yesterday, the former WBC heavyweight champion was a guest on The Ariel Helwani Show, and during his interview Wilder covered many subjects. The 39 year old, who will return to the ring on June 27, this against the little-known Tyrrel Herndon, spoke about how he would like to be remembered “when the music stops,” this as a “great man,” Wilder said.
While the former champ said he never even thought about walking away and retiring after suffering those back-to-back defeats at the hands of Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. Wilder, 43-4-1(42) also said that “boxing is not a sport,” that it is simply too dangerous, violent and brutal to be considered a sport. “You don’t play boxing,” Wilder said.
“Boxing isn’t a sport”—Wilder’s brutal reality check
In addition, Wilder spoke about the fact that he is now “free,” this after having cut loose from all the people who he feels betrayed him during the course of his ring career. Wilder said he feels “like a new person” now and that he aims to carry on proving his greatness. The comeback – which Wilder said is not actually a comeback, but a “return” – starts with the Herndon fight, but Wilder did tease his next fight, with him vaguely suggesting it could take place abroad somewhere.
There are rumours going around that Wilder could fight Francis Ngannou later this year, providing he gets past Herndon, 24-5(15) and looks good doing so. Wilder says he will fight numerous times here in 2025. That still-big fight with Anthony Joshua also remains a possibility, but for now, Wilder says he is fighting for himself, having gone from “selfless” to “selfish.”
Wilder is a complex individual, but he never makes for a dull interview the way he never used to make for a dull fight. What will Wilder show us all in the Herndon fight next week? And will he really fight two, even three times this year?
