Deontay Wilder will return to the ring on June 27 as part of an event organized by the Global Combat Collective (GCC). The Bronze Bomber, whose last official fight was in June when he was brutally knocked out by China’s Zhilei Zhang, has no intention of hanging up his gloves despite being 39 years old and coming off a series of disappointing performances.
Facing the American at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas, will be his compatriot Tyrrell Anthony Herndon, who has compiled a professional record of 24 wins and 5 losses. This is a relatively soft comeback, as Herndon has always fallen short whenever he has attempted to step up in competition.
Many fans and experts would advise Wilder to abandon his ambitions of returning to the top of boxing and accept the harsh reality that he is no longer the fighter he once was. Against both Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, the Bronze Bomber looked like a shadow of himself—hesitant and awkward in his movements, completely unable to unleash his infamous devastating right hand.
However, there is another school of thought that suggests Wilder is still the same fighter as before. According to proponents of this theory, his recent decisive losses were solely due to the level of his opponents, who were stronger than the fighters Wilder was used to knocking out.
It’s important to note that athletes whose success relies largely on their explosiveness and muscle reactivity rather than on refined technique tend to have relatively short peaks. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the Bronze Bomber—who has always had significant technical shortcomings—has struggled to remain highly competitive into his forties.
Regardless, the Tuscaloosa native is determined to keep going. He has blamed his recent setbacks on an undiscovered arm fracture and is eager to earn one last big opportunity inside the ropes.
Event promoter Nelson Lopez is, of course, trying to amplify the significance of the fight, which has been dubbed “Legacy Reloaded.” He stated:
“Deontay Wilder is one of the most electrifying fighters the sport has ever seen, and his return is going to be nothing short of legendary. Legacy Reloaded is about history in the making, and we’re bringing fans front and center for every punch, every moment, and every knockout.”
Grandiose words for an event that, in reality, is not particularly enticing for fans, given the lack of a credible opponent for Wilder. Nonetheless, we may still witness one of his final spectacular knockouts.