Deontay Wilder has ended his losing streak – the former WBC heavyweight champion defeated Tyrrell Herndon in seven rounds.
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder claimed his first victory since 2022 on Saturday night in Wichita, USA. In the Charles Koch Arena, the “Bronze Bomber” stopped his opponent Tyrell Anthony Herndon in the seventh round – but in a poor comeback that raised more questions than answers.
Wilder (44-4-1, 43 knockouts) sent Herndon (24-6, 15 knockouts) to the floor in the second round and again in the sixth. The final stoppage by referee Ray Corona at 2:16 minutes of the seventh round seemed a little premature as Herndon was still on his feet at this point and showing willingness to fight.
Despite the early victory, Wilder remained colorless for large parts of the fight. After the fight, he told the media: “I wanted to show more than just the right hand. Everyone knows that’s my power punch, my trademark – the punch that ends careers. But I don’t want to be predictable. That’s what they’re all waiting for – and they’ll do anything to avoid it.”
The performance was Wilder’s first ring action since his clear knockout defeat against Zhilei Zhang and marked the end of a difficult phase: The former champion had previously lost four of his last five fights – including twice against Tyson Fury, as well as against Joseph Parker and Zhang.
Whether the victory against Herndon is the beginning of a new Wilder era or just a brief flash in the pan remains to be seen. However, boxing fans and experts agree: if the 38-year-old wants to have a serious say in the title race again, he will have to show more than he did against the overtaxed Herndon.