Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title for over five years, defending it 10 times against opponents like Luis Ortiz and Bermane Stiverne. He lost the belt to Tyson Fury in 2020 and has struggled since, losing four of his last five fights. His most recent bout ended in a stoppage loss to Zhilei Zhang in the summer of 2023.
Despite these setbacks, Wilder remains determined to reclaim his spot at the top of the heavyweight division. In a recent interview, he shared his motivation for coming back:
"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. It feels good to be a veteran."
Wilder's return comes at an interesting time in the heavyweight division. Oleksandr Usyk currently holds most of the major titles after defeating Tyson Fury to become the undisputed champion in 2024. Usyk later vacated the IBF belt, which Daniel Dubois claimed by beating Anthony Joshua last September.
Usyk and Dubois are set to fight for the undisputed title in July, but the belts might scatter afterward due to mandatory defenses. The division's landscape could shift significantly, potentially opening up opportunities for Wilder to reclaim a world title.
As Wilder prepares for his comeback, an unnamed rival has already vowed to knock him out when they meet in the ring. The heavyweight division looks set for an action-packed year ahead.