A former long-reigning WBC heavyweight champion has vowed to take the division by storm when he makes his highly anticipated return to the boxing ring later this year. Deontay Wilder, widely recognized by his moniker "The Bronze Bomber," is on the verge of stepping back through the ropes following a difficult stretch in his storied career that included back-to-back defeats at the hands of former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and the hard-hitting Chinese contender Zhilei "Big Bang" Zhang.
The 39-year-old powerhouse from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, left an indelible mark on the sport during his remarkable reign as the WBC heavyweight champion between 2015 and 2020. During that golden era of his career, Wilder became known as one of the most devastating punchers in boxing history, successfully defending his world title multiple times before his undefeated streak and championship reign were brought to an end by Tyson Fury in their explosive second encounter in Las Vegas.
In the wake of that defining rivalry, Wilder has faced adversity inside the squared circle. Having lost four of his last five professional bouts, questions have naturally swirled regarding the veteran’s future in a sport where he once inspired sheer terror in his opponents. However, the American puncher has firmly pushed back against any retirement whispers, pledging to bounce back and make one final, determined push towards capturing a world championship for the second time in his career.
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, "The Bronze Bomber" expressed absolute confidence in his abilities, backing himself to return in peak physical and mental condition. Looking ahead to his upcoming chapter in professional boxing, Wilder boldly claimed that he is returning with his sights set firmly on reclaiming supremacy and capturing "all the belts" currently scattered across the heavyweight landscape.
Reflecting on his past impact and his future ambitions, Wilder shared his vision for the division with TMZ Sports. "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 the interview, signaling that his trademark ambition and competitive drive remain completely undiminished.
The first step in this ambitious comeback campaign will take place on June 27 in Wichita, Kansas. In that upcoming outing, Wilder is scheduled to face fellow countryman Tyrrell Herndon in a non-title heavyweight showdown. While many fighters returning from consecutive losses might opt for a completely anonymous opponent to shake off the rust, Wilder has made it clear that he is approaching the matchup with absolute professionalism and respect for his opponent.
Despite being heavily favored by pundits and fans alike, Wilder emphasized that he is taking the 37-year-old contender from Texas very seriously as he prepares for fight night next month. Rather than looking past Herndon toward lucrative blockbusters right away, the veteran contender views this upcoming contest as a crucial proving ground and a vital litmus test for his renewed career trajectory.
Elaborating on his plans for the immediate future and the calendar year ahead, Wilder outlined a busy schedule designed to propel him swiftly back into world-title contention. "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 to TMZ Sports. "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."
Over the past several months, "The Bronze Bomber" has frequently found his name linked to high-profile matchups and verbal sparring matches with some of the biggest names in the sport. Rumors and discussions have continually swirled regarding potential showdowns against two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, a bout that has captured the imagination of boxing fans across the globe for years. Additionally, Wilder recently addressed and responded to a vocal challenge issued by Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller, keeping the door open for a variety of explosive domestic and international matchups should he successfully navigate his upcoming test.
Despite the enticing allure of these major fights lingering on the horizon, Wilder’s immediate focus remains entirely locked on the task at hand. As the countdown to June 27 continues, the boxing world will be watching closely to see whether the former long-reigning champion can deliver the kind of statement performance required to prove he still possesses the firepower to conquer the heavyweight division once again.
