Deontay Wilder is set to make his return to boxing on June 27, 2025, in a 10-round bout against Tyrrell Herndon at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. The former WBC heavyweight champion is looking to bounce back after a series of tough losses and reignite his journey toward another title shot.
Wilder, known for his devastating knockout power, has struggled in recent years, winning just one of his last five fights. His last appearance in the ring ended in a brutal TKO loss to Zhilei Zhang in June 2024, following a one-sided decision defeat to Joseph Parker. Now, the 39-year-old aims to rebuild his career, starting with a fight against Herndon, a veteran with a 24-5 (15 KOs) record.
With questions surrounding Wilder’s future in the sport, this fight is a crucial moment for the former champion. Can he still compete at the highest level, or is this the beginning of the end?
A Step Down in Competition for Wilder
Wilder’s upcoming opponent, Tyrrell Herndon, is far from the elite competition fans expected. At 37 years old, the Texas-based fighter has never competed at the world level and has suffered losses against Richard Torrez, Efe Ajagba, and Brandon Glanton—all fights in which he was stopped early.
Herndon’s most recent bout ended in a six-round split-decision win in May 2024, but his overall track record suggests he will be a massive underdog against Wilder. Given Wilder’s 42 career knockouts in 43 wins, many expect another early stoppage in favor of the former champion.
However, Wilder himself is in a precarious position. After initially signing to fight Curtis Harper in April, that bout fell through, raising doubts about his direction. Meanwhile, Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh called for a Wilder vs. Anthony Joshua showdown, but instead, Wilder is facing an opponent ranked far below the top contenders.
Despite the lack of excitement around this matchup, Wilder’s team insists this is just the first step in a larger comeback plan. Promoter Joshua Chasse of Global Combat Collective described the fight as “Wilder’s legacy reloaded,” adding that he still believes Wilder can return to the top of the heavyweight division.
What’s Next for Deontay Wilder?
This fight is more about Wilder proving he still belongs than it is about Herndon being a serious challenge. If Wilder struggles or fails to win impressively, questions about his future will only grow louder.
Potential next steps for Wilder include:
- A long-awaited fight with Anthony Joshua, a matchup that has been teased for years.
- A rematch with Joseph Parker or Zhilei Zhang, to avenge his recent losses.
- A showdown with up-and-coming contenders like Jared Anderson or Filip Hrgović.
For now, though, Wilder’s only focus is on Tyrrell Herndon on June 27. The boxing world will be watching closely to see if he still has the power, speed, and endurance that once made him one of the most feared heavyweights in the sport.
Prediction: Wilder by KO in the early rounds.
Follow FIGHTCORE for more updates.
Also read, 5 Dream UFC Fights We Never Saw
