Deontay Wilder is getting ready to step back into the ring. The former WBC Heavyweight World Champion will face Tyrell Herndon on June 27, 2024, in Kansas. This comeback fight marks Wilder's attempt to bounce back after recent setbacks.
At 39 years old, Wilder's last two outings in Saudi Arabia didn't go as planned. He lost on points to Joseph Parker and got knocked out by Zhilei Zhang. Now, he's looking to turn things around and make a statement in the heavyweight division.
ESPN reports that Wilder's return against Herndon is set for late June in Kansas. It's a crucial fight for the American as he aims to get back on track and position himself for bigger opportunities.
Looking ahead, Wilder has his sights set on some major matchups. He's eyeing potential title shots against the winner of the upcoming undisputed championship fight between Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk in July. A long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua also remains on his radar.
But there's one fight that Wilder seems particularly keen on - a showdown with Jarrell Miller. The two Americans have been feuding for years, and Wilder didn't mince words when discussing the possibility of facing Miller.
In an interview with Bloody Elbow, Wilder said:
"I don't like him at all. I ain't gonna say too many things, but this dude has always been a hater of me … He's always trying to do things or say stupid s**t. That s**t gets old. You're chasing a man all your life and you're still in the same position. I'm chasing success, I'm chasing dreams, I'm chasing legacy, I'm chasing iconic moments."
Wilder went on to say:
"To answer your question, man, if that time comes and the money is right for that situation, I would love to put him down. Like I told him, he better go get his grave plot paid for by the time I can get him. He better go find it, because I ain't playing with these folks man. I understand you've got to say certain things to try and get a fight, but you got to understand, when they become personal, you can get it at any given time, even when I see you. On sight."
Miller's career has been marred by controversy. He failed doping tests in 2019 before a scheduled bout with Anthony Joshua. Recently, he fought to a controversial draw with Andy Ruiz Jr, with many feeling Miller had done enough to win. He was also set to face Fabio Wardley at Ipswich Town's Portman Road Stadium but had to pull out due to a shoulder injury, according to the promotion.
As Wilder prepares for his comeback, the heavyweight division waits to see if he can recapture the form that made him one of the most feared punchers in boxing history. His journey starts in Kansas this June, with potentially bigger fights on the horizon.
