Deontay Wilder plans to step back into the boxing ring. The former heavyweight champion wants to prove he's still got what it takes to compete at the top level.
Wilder, known as "The Bronze Bomber," has faced some tough losses recently. Joseph Parker beat him, and then Zhilei "Big Bang" Zhang knocked him out in the fifth round last June in Riyadh. After these defeats, many fans and experts thought Wilder might hang up his gloves for good.
But the 39-year-old from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, isn't ready to call it quits. He's gearing up for a comeback fight against Tyrrell Herndon on June 27, 2024, at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. It's his first bout since the Zhang loss.
Wilder explained his decision to return in an interview with 78SPORTSTV.
"My grandma told me years ago I was anointed by God and she didn't lie. Here I am, the mission is the same, I gotta get these titles man, I gotta do what I gotta do, to feel that greatness, to show the world how great I am, like they know I am. It continues, and I'm looking forward to it. I feels good to be a veteran."
The heavyweight division has changed a lot since Wilder's prime. Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk are stepping away from the sport, and Tyson Fury has already retired. This shakeup leaves room for new stars like Daniel Dubois to make their mark.
Wilder's team has shown interest in setting up a fight with Anthony Joshua. But first, he'll need to prove he can still compete at the highest level when he faces Herndon in June.
The road back to the top won't be easy for Wilder. He'll have to overcome the doubts raised by his recent losses and show he still has the power and skill that made him a long-reigning champion. His comeback fight against Herndon will be a crucial test of whether he can regain his former glory in the ring.
