Wilder's recent outings haven't gone his way. He lost to Zhilei Zhang by stoppage in the fifth round last June. Before that, Joseph Parker beat him on points over 12 rounds. These setbacks added to the four losses on his record, which also boasts an impressive 42 knockouts.
The Bronze Bomber's return opponent, Herndon, isn't well-known in boxing circles. This matchup looks like a chance for Wilder to shake off the rust and get back to his winning ways.
If Wilder gets past Herndon, bigger fights could be on the horizon. Frank Smith, CEO of Matchroom Boxing, thinks a clash with Anthony Joshua would grab fans' attention.
"Do you know what fight I love? If he comes through his warm-up, Deontay Wilder. This sport is about narrative. It's about buying into fights that people have interest in and that's a fight that everyone would still have interest in. Regardless of whether it didn't happen five years ago, people still want to see it now. So hopefully he can come through his fight."
Joshua, a former two-time unified champion, could be a big-money option for Wilder. Another potential opponent is Dillian Whyte, who's linked to a fight with Moses Itauma in August.
Wilder's career has seen its share of drama. His trilogy with Tyson Fury stands out, featuring two stoppage losses and a draw back in December 2018. Now, the knockout artist looks to recapture the form that made him one of boxing's most feared punchers.
At 39, questions remain about how much Wilder has left in the tank. His power has always been his calling card, but time will tell if it's enough to propel him back to the top of the heavyweight division.