Former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder returned to the win column today, stopping Tyrrell Herndon in the seventh round.
The victory marks Wilder’s first since October 2022, ending a tough period that saw him lose three of his last four bouts.
Despite the dominant performance, which included two knockdowns, it was far from the explosive displays that once defined “The Bronze Bomber.” The fight took place before a sparse crowd with no major television broadcast, a stark contrast to Wilder’s past pay-per-view headliners.
“I’ve been laid off for a long time, getting myself back together, repairing myself emotionally. It is just nice to be back in the ring. This is a new beginning for me,” Wilder stated.
Wilder, 39, showed flashes of his dangerous instincts with a sharp counter left hook, but his signature straight right hand was largely absent early on. He focused instead on his left hand and jab, aiming to become a more “complete, all-round fighter.”
His career has been tumultuous since his brutal trilogy with Tyson Fury, with subsequent losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang raising doubts about his future. Wilder confirmed he’d been working with a sports psychologist to rekindle his love for boxing.
While Wilder expressed a desire to become a unified world champion, his current form places him far from the top contenders. However, in the heavyweight division, “you’re always one fight away from a title fight,” he noted.
A potential clash with Anthony Joshua remains a highly anticipated bout, while other lucrative options, including a fight with Francis Ngannou, are also being considered.
