Deontay Wilder Returns This Friday, And The Former WBC Heavyweight Champ Feels Tyson Fury Will Also Fight Again
This Friday night in Wichita, Kansas, fight fans will see the ring return of Deontay Wilder. Wilder, now aged 39 and coming off two straight defeats against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, will face Tyrrell Herndon, 24-5(15) in what is an absolute must-win fight for the former WBC heavyweight champ.
Wilder has promised to “drop bombs” on Friday, and fans are curious to see if “The Bronze Bomber” has still got anything like the chilling knockout power he once displayed on a regular basis. An impressive, “I’m back” type of KO win could lead Wilder into some more big fights down the road, later on this year perhaps. And there is talk of a Wilder-Anthony Joshua fight finally happening at the end of the year.
One man who Wilder feels will join himself and AJ on the comeback trail is Tyson Fury. Wilder, currently 43-4-1(42) went to war with Fury three times, with Fury winning two, and with fans seeing a drawn result in their opening act. Wilder may or may not still have an urge to fight Fury a fourth time, but for sure he does feel we have not seen the last of Fury in the ring.
“How many times [has Fury retired]? What, 20 times? I don’t think he’s retired,” Wilder said in speaking with Inside Boxing Live. “Maybe it’s on ice a little bit, you know what I mean. We do this. Everybody is different. They do their own things. I don’t say things to get a reaction.”
So, what price we actually get to see Wilder, Fury and Joshua all returning to the squared circle some time this year? Wilder is just days away from his return fight, while Joshua could come back around September or October time. As for Fury, will he also make a return, or will his latest retirement actually stick?
It seems almost nobody believes Fury is really retired. Deontay Wilder included. What’s the old adage? – “they all come back.” Who among us would be surprised if Fury did fight again?
Deontay Wilder Tells Fans In Wichita To Get Ready For “Some Bombs!”
As fans are likely aware, Deontay Wilder will make his return to the ring next Friday (June 27) in Wichita, Kansas. And as he approaches his fight with Tyrrell Herndon, 24-5(15) the former WBC heavyweight champion has stated that he will be “dropping bombs” in the fight. Wilder, an amazing 43-4-1(42) also said that “the party is coming to Wichita.”
“Has there ever been a devastating knockout out here in Wichita, Kansas before?” Wilder asked when speaking with The Eagle. “C’mon man! I love making history. I love being the first at something. I’m looking forward to having my return in Wichita and having a great time. That’s what this is all about, especially at this moment of time in my life. I’m going to be dropping bombs. When I’m right mentally, physically and emotionally, it’s a sight to see. I have a lot of devastating knockouts on my resume. I’m a one-punch knockout artist, the hardest hitter in boxing history, period.”
While it’s possible Wilder WAS very much up there on anyone’s greatest punchers of all-time list when he was in his prime, say from 2015 to 2018, the jury is very much out when it comes to whether or not Wilder is still a dynamite puncher today. In his last two fights, losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, Wilder’s celebrated punching power was basically nowhere to be seen.
Can the Bronze Bomber Still Deliver the Big Boom?
Now, against the little-known Herndon, a KO and a KO only will do the job as far as Wilder being able to holler loud and clear how “Bomb Squad” is back. Wilder promises a show in the Herndon fight, and he may well send fans home happy, with them witnessing an explosive, quick knockout. But Herndon is looking to make it his party, and he can be expected to be as super-motivated as possible.
How much has Wilder got left, and will Herndon test the remaining fighting and punching ability “The Bronze Bomber” has at this point in his career?
“We’re going to have something to talk about afterwards, that’s for sure,” Wilder added. “If you ain’t there, you’re going to wish you were.”
