A former long-reigning WBC heavyweight champion has vowed to take the division by storm when he returns to the ring this year, signaling the start of what he hopes will be a historic final push toward reclaiming world championship status. Deontay Wilder is on the immediate verge of making his much-anticipated return to professional competition following a difficult period in his storied career that included back-to-back defeats at the hands of former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and the hard-hitting, formidable Chinese contender Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang.
The 39-year-old knockout artist from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, once cast a long and terrifying shadow over the entire sport during a dominant championship reign. Between 2015 and 2020, Wilder held the prestigious WBC heavyweight strap, successfully defending it against a succession of dangerous contenders while establishing a reputation as one of the most destructive one-punch knockout artists in boxing history. That era of dominance came to a dramatic halt when he was defeated by British rival Tyson Fury in their explosive second encounter in Las Vegas, a bout that many analysts mark as a turning point in Wilder’s career trajectory.
In recent years, the former champion has faced mounting adversity inside the squared circle. Wilder has unfortunately lost four of his last five professional bouts, leading many critics and commentators to openly question whether the aging veteran has reached the twilight of his career. Despite these setbacks and the physical toll of competing at the highest level of the sport for over a decade, Wilder has pledged to bounce back with unmatched resolve. He has set his sights firmly on making one final, definitive push toward becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion, insisting that his competitive fire remains completely unquenched.
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, “The Bronze Bomber” backed himself to perform better than ever in his upcoming return to boxing, projecting an air of supreme confidence. During the conversation, Wilder made his ultimate ambitions crystal clear, claiming that he is coming back for all the major belts in the glamour division. Reflecting on his past impact and his future aspirations, the former champion articulated his determination to revitalize the weight class just as he believes he did nearly a decade ago.
"I’m coming back for all the belts, you know the heavyweight division I brought it back years ago in 2015 and I’m gonna bring it back again," Wilder declared during his interview with TMZ Sports, setting the tone for his impending comeback campaign.
The first step in this ambitious new chapter is scheduled to take place on June 27 in Wichita, Kansas. Wilder is set to face fellow countryman Tyrrell Herndon in a high-stakes, non-title heavyweight showdown. While many observers might view a matchup against the 37-year-old fighter from Texas as a routine assignment or a mere stepping stone, Wilder has been quick to emphasize that he is taking his opponent entirely seriously. He understands that any slip-up at this stage could permanently derail his dreams of a championship resurrection, making the upcoming bout a critical test of his current abilities, timing, and physical readiness.
Elaborating on his mindset heading into the summer clash, Wilder explained the importance of maintaining absolute focus rather than looking too far ahead into the future. He acknowledged the specific challenges posed by Herndon and outlined a busy schedule that the promotional teams are currently trying to assemble for the remainder of the calendar year, provided everything goes according to plan on fight night.
"I’m taking him seriously, we’ve got a lot of fights lined up for this year, two for sure but three maybe," Wilder explained when discussing his immediate athletic schedule. "It’s going to be a great fight whilst it lasts, but this warm-up, tune-up, I’m taking it serious and once completing the task then we move on into the limelight of the bigger and better fights. This is the tester."
The announcement of his return has immediately reignited speculation about potential blockbuster matchups that have lingered on the fringes of the heavyweight division for years. Over the past several months, "The Bronze Bomber" has frequently been linked with potential showdowns against two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, a bout that fans and promoters have wanted to see for nearly a decade. Additionally, Wilder has been actively engaged in verbal sparring with other heavyweights, recently responding to a direct challenge from fellow American contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller.
Despite the endless chatter surrounding potential stadium fights against elite global opposition, the 39-year-old knockout artist appears firmly focused on the immediate task at hand. His full attention remains locked onto preparing for Tyrrell Herndon next month, knowing that his grand vision of returning to the pinnacle of boxing depends entirely on delivering an emphatic, definitive performance in Wichita to prove that "The Bronze Bomber" still possesses the explosive power that once struck fear into the entire heavyweight division.
