Deontay Wilder plans to reclaim his spot at the top of the heavyweight division. The former WBC champion will return to the ring on June 27, 2024, to face Tyrrell Herndon.
Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title for five years, defending it successfully 10 times. His reign ended in 2020 when Tyson Fury defeated him. Since then, Wilder's career has taken a downturn, losing four of his last five fights. His most recent defeat came in June 2023 when Zhilei Zhang knocked him out.
Despite these setbacks, Wilder remains determined to make a comeback. He told TMZ Sports about his plans:
"I'm coming back for all the belts, you know the heavyweight division I brought it back years ago in 2015 and I'm gonna bring it back again."
The heavyweight landscape has changed significantly since Wilder's reign. Oleksandr Usyk now holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO titles after beating Tyson Fury twice in 2024. Daniel Dubois holds the IBF belt. These two will face off in July 2024 to determine the undisputed champion.
Wilder sees his upcoming fight as a stepping stone to bigger challenges. He said:
"I'm taking him seriously, we've got a lot of fights lined up for this year, two for sure but three maybe. It's going to be a great fight whilst it lasts but this warm up, tune up, I'm taking it serious and once completing the task then we move on into the limelight of the bigger and better fights. This is the tester."
The heavyweight division also features contenders like Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel, who Wilder will need to contend with on his path back to the top.
Wilder's return against Herndon on June 27 will serve as a test of his current form and readiness for bigger challenges. The "Bronze Bomber" has hinted at having two or possibly three fights planned for the year, suggesting a busy schedule ahead.
Wilder has also mentioned another heavyweight he aims to face and defeat, though he hasn't revealed the name yet. This mystery opponent adds intrigue to Wilder's comeback journey.
As Wilder prepares for his return, the boxing world watches with interest. Will the former champion reclaim his throne, or will the new generation of heavyweights prove too much for him? The answers will start to unfold on June 27.
