Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is set to make his highly anticipated return to the ring on June 27, facing off against Tyrrell Herndon in a 10-round bout in Wichita, Kansas.
The fight, confirmed by promoters Nelson Lopez and Joshua Chasse of Global Combat Collective, marks a crucial moment in Wilder’s career as he looks to reclaim his spot among the heavyweight elite.
Wilder, 39, has had a turbulent run in recent years, winning just one of his last five fights. His most recent appearance ended in a brutal knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang in March, a defeat that followed a one-sided decision loss to former champion Joseph Parker in December 2023.
These setbacks raised questions about Wilder’s future, but the former champ remains determined to prove he still has plenty left in the tank.
Nicknamed the “Bronze Bomber,” Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) is widely regarded as one of the most devastating punchers in boxing history. His legendary trilogy with Tyson Fury showcased his incredible power, despite going 0-2-1 in those fights.
He famously dropped Fury twice in both their first and third encounters, but ultimately suffered a stoppage in their second and third bouts. Even with those losses, Wilder’s ferocious knockout ability has cemented his place as one of the most exciting heavyweights of the modern era.
Now, he seeks redemption against Tyrrell Herndon, a 37-year-old journeyman from San Antonio, Texas. Herndon (24-5, 15 KOs) has been steadily building momentum, winning three straight fights since suffering a second-round TKO loss to Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez in October 2023.
His last fight, in May 2024, ended in a six-round split decision victory. While Herndon lacks the high-profile experience of Wilder’s past opponents, he enters this bout as a hungry fighter eager to make a name for himself with a career-defining upset.
Promoter Joshua Chasse believes this fight is the first step in a major comeback for Wilder.
“This is Wilder’s legacy reloaded,” Chasse said. “He’s still one of the hardest punchers in boxing. This is the first step on his road back to becoming the heavyweight champion of the world.”
With the heavyweight division in a state of transition—champions like Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury facing their own career-defining bouts—Wilder’s return adds another layer of intrigue to the landscape.
A victory on June 27 could position him for another run at the top, potentially setting up future clashes with top contenders like Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, or Filip Hrgović.
For now, all eyes will be on Wichita, as Wilder looks to remind the boxing world why he was once the most feared knockout artist in the sport.
