Deontay Wilder vs Tyrrell Anthony Herndon

Deontay Wilder Faces Tyrrell Herndon Tonight in Bid for Redemption and Joshua Showdown

Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion, steps back into the ring tonight in Wichita, Kansas, to battle the relatively unknown Tyrrell Herndon. Nearing his 40th birthday in October, Wilder aims to reignite his career and pave the way for a long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua, following a challenging period marked by recent losses.

Once a dominant force in boxing, Wilder has struggled to recapture his former glory since his thrilling trilogy with Tyson Fury. His only highlight in recent years was a brutal first-round knockout of former European champion Robert Helenius in 2022. However, a lopsided defeat to Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia in December 2023 derailed plans for a Joshua fight, and a fifth-round stoppage loss to Zhilei Zhang last summer on the Queensberry vs Matchroom 5v5 card in Riyadh raised questions about his future in the sport.

Known as ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ Wilder was once celebrated as one of boxing’s most devastating knockout artists, with 42 of his 43 career wins coming by stoppage, including 20 in the opening round. Yet, the Alabama native has lost four of his last five bouts, three by knockout, leaving him at a critical juncture in his career. Despite calls for retirement, the former champion, who defended his WBC title nine times, remains determined to continue.

Tonight’s opponent, 37-year-old Tyrrell Herndon, carries a 24-5-0 record and represents a journeyman in the heavyweight division. For Herndon, facing Wilder—widely regarded as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history—is a golden opportunity. For Wilder, a victory could open doors to major fights, while a loss might push the 43-4-1 fighter closer to retirement.