Wilder Ends Losing Streak with Comeback Win, But Doubts Remain

Wilder Ends Losing Streak with Comeback Win, But Doubts Remain

Deontay Wilder snapped a run of defeats with a measured seventh-round stoppage of Tyrrell Herndon in Kansas, but the performance did little to silence doubts over the 39-year-old’s future at the elite level of heavyweight boxing.

Fighting for the first time since a crushing loss to Zhilei Zhang, the former world champion dropped Herndon twice before the referee waved off the contest following a pair of chopping right hands.

It marked Wilder’s first win since October 2022, but the bout—held in front of a sparse crowd at Charles Koch Arena and without major broadcast coverage—was a stark contrast to the grand stages he once dominated.

Gone were the bombastic entrances and pay-per-view glitz. Instead, fans witnessed a stripped-back version of Wilder, who admitted post-fight that this was about emotional repair as much as ring redemption.

“It is just nice to be back in the ring. This is a new beginning for me,” said Wilder. “I’ve been laid off for a long time, getting myself back together, repairing myself emotionally.”

Not Vintage Wilder, But Still Dangerous

Wilder, who recently split from long-time trainer Malik Scott, floored Herndon in round two with a counter left hook. While his signature right hand remained relatively quiet early, he relied on a steady jab and left-hand work to control the bout.

“I wanted to display more. Take my time. Become more than my right hand,” said Wilder.

The finish came in round seven after another knockdown in the sixth, but Herndon—who had lost five of his previous 28 fights—was still standing at the time of the stoppage, suggesting a premature end to a bout that felt inevitable.

Where Has Wilder Been?

Since the end of his dramatic trilogy with Tyson Fury, Wilder has looked like a shadow of his former self. Claims of conspiracies and betrayal after those defeats alienated many fans.

A disappointing loss to Joseph Parker last year quashed hopes of a long-awaited bout with Anthony Joshua, and the subsequent knockout loss to Zhang had many assuming retirement was near.

Instead, Wilder chose to step away quietly, work with a sports psychologist, and re-evaluate his future.

“I never planned to walk away,” he said. “This comeback was always part of the plan.

Is Another Title Run Possible?

Wilder still claims he wants to become a unified world champion, but with Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois set to contest the undisputed crown, he remains on the outside looking in.

“You’re always one fight away from a title fight in this division,” Wilder noted.

While he urges patience, big-money options remain. A crossover clash with Francis Ngannou in Africa is reportedly in discussion, and Eddie Hearn has floated the idea of a fight with Dave Allen in the UK.

The blockbuster against Anthony Joshua—once the most anticipated heavyweight clash in the sport—could still materialize, albeit under very different circumstances. Now, both former champions have everything to lose, and perhaps one last shot at relevance to gain.

For now, Wilder’s return is complete. The Bronze Bomber may no longer be the boogeyman of the division, but his name still demands attention.