Kansas: Deontay Wilder returned to winning ways with a subdued seventh-round stoppage of Tyrrell Herndon in Wichita, Kansas, ending a two-year winless stretch. The 39-year-old former heavyweight champion floored Herndon in the second and sixth rounds before finishing the fight with two powerful right hands.
It marked Wilder’s first win since October 2022, following a run of three defeats in four fights, including a recent punishing loss to Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia. Though dominant, the performance lacked the explosive flair that once defined Wilder, known for his devastating one-punch knockouts.
The comeback occurred in front of a sparse crowd at Charles Koch Arena, without primary TV coverage or his usual grand entrances. Wilder, who recently split from trainer Malik Scott, said the stripped-back return was part of his emotional rebuilding process. “It is just nice to be back. This is a new beginning,” he shared. While he showed flashes of his famed power, his signature right hand was mainly quiet early on as he worked behind the jab and a sharp left.
Herndon, 37, had previously been stopped by top prospect Richard Torrez Jr, and while he remained standing at the end, the referee called it off as Wilder’s pressure built. Despite the win, questions remain. Since his bruising trilogy with Tyson Fury, Wilder’s form and confidence have waned. A once-anticipated clash with Anthony Joshua fell apart after Wilder’s lackluster loss to Joseph Parker. He later suffered a heavy defeat to Zhang, prompting concerns that his career was over.
Wilder disappeared from the spotlight, seeking help from a sports psychologist and quietly preparing for a comeback, which he says was always planned. Now, he hopes to rebuild step by step. While a shot at the unified title—soon to be contested by Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois—feels unlikely, Wilder insists he’s not done.
He believes big fights, including a long-awaited Joshua showdown or a high-profile bout with Francis Ngannou in Africa, remain possible. Promoter Eddie Hearn has even floated a fight against Dave Allen. Whether Wilder can return to the top remains to be seen, but for now, The Bronze Bomber is back in the ring and the conversation.
