Deontay Wilder is back active on social media before his comeback clash with Tyrrell Herndon on June 27.
Wilder is training hard to catch the eye on the Black Prime network when the former heavyweight champion bids for another knockout.
However, as Wilder fans look forward to seeing the 39-year-old in action again, some are unconvinced that ‘The Bronze Bomber’ should be lacing up his gloves.
One doubter, who claims to be a supporter, told Wilder to stay out of the ring and hang up his gloves.
“I’m a Wilder fan, but it’s time to move to the next stage of his life,” they said. “He achieved so much, and there is a season for everything.
“Enjoy your hard work and your wealth, and spend time with the family. Don’t want to see you get hurt, my brother. There is nothing left to prove.”
Those words come after Wilder’s two defeats against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. Due to the knockout nature of the Zhang loss, calls for Wilder to walk away came loudly.
But Wilder’s dogged determination means he wants to go out on his terms and possibly land one more shot at a world title.
That plan diverges from his first blueprint to hang up his gloves at 40. Wilder will turn the big four-zero in October and will undoubtedly want to face more significant names for a 2026 run.
Two knockout wins before then should get people talking about Wilder again, but he cannot afford to look bad against Herndon.
Wilder, who has 42 knockouts from 43 wins, has strategically picked his opponent for an early showing of power.
If he can get Herndon out of there within two rounds, a quick return could happen by the fall.
The World Boxing Council already ranks Wilder for a title shot, so it’s just a case of waiting for an opportunity to open up for a voluntary shot.
If the belts split, as expected if Usyk retires next year, Wilder will be in a good position to get a crack at his old title belt.
For now, it’s all about rebuilding the Deontay Wilder brand in the hope that one of the major champions gives him a shot in 2026. Whether that’s still Usyk remains to be seen.
Usyk faces Daniel Dubois in a rematch at Wembley Stadium. His manager, Alex Krassyuk, has told WBN in the past that he is open to fighting Wilder.
“Deontay Wilder’s chances of winning are not that high,” Krassyuk said in an exclusive interview with World Boxing News. “And even if he manages to do so, he still needs to take his place in the queue to the peak.
“Wilder is lucky to get his return ticket to the Olympus of the heavyweights,” Krassyuk told WBN before Zhang put Wilder’s lights out.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay and learn more about the author. Phil has been an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.
