- Deontay Wilder is plotting his comeback, with a fight against Tyrrell Herndon on June 27 as his first step back to heavyweight relevance.
- The boxing world has waited years for Joshua vs. Wilder, but the fight now depends on whether both can stay relevant in the division.
- Wilder insists he needs to rebuild first, focusing on proving he is still a top contender before considering a high-profile showdown.
After years of speculation, American boxer Deontay Wilder has once again set his sights on a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua, but fans may have to wait until 2026 for the highly anticipated bout.
As the former WBC heavyweight champion embarks on his comeback trail, he is determined to reestablish himself in the division before locking horns with the British-Nigerian star.
Wilder, 38, is scheduled to return to the ring on June 27, where he will face seasoned heavyweight Tyrrell Herndon at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita.
With four losses in his last five outings, the American knockout artist is eager to prove he still belongs at the top.
Speaking to the press, Wilder confirmed that while a fight with Joshua is in the cards, it won’t happen this year,
“Not this year for sure, but in the near future, maybe sometime next year. But all of that is close. I’ve just got to get myself back together first and foremost, and I have got to prove to myself that I am back together like I feel,” Wilder stated.
For years, the boxing world has been waiting for Joshua vs. Wilder, a clash that seemed inevitable at their peaks.
However, both fighters have had turbulent careers in recent years. Wilder suffered back-to-back defeats against Tyson Fury and later lost to Joseph Parker in December.
Joshua, on the other hand, is in the final stretch of his career, with his promoter Eddie Hearn confirming that he has only one to three fights left before retirement,
“This is the final year, let’s not beat around the bush. He’s going to have somewhere between – it could always be your last fight – but one and three fights, that’s the reality of the situation,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
With Joshua still recovering from an injury sustained in his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, his immediate future remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Wilder is planning a busy year, aiming for at least three fights in 2025.
Whether their long-awaited clash finally materialises depends on how both fighters perform in the coming months. But for now, Wilder is focused on proving he still has what it takes to be a heavyweight fighter.
Dubois stuns Joshua in a dramatic Wembley knockout
Previously, TheRadar reported that in an electrifying night at Wembley Stadium, Daniel Dubois shattered the expectations of boxing fans by delivering a stunning upset, taking down Anthony Joshua in a gripping five-round bout.
The atmosphere was nothing short of electric as the reigning IBF heavyweight champion dismantled the former two-time world heavyweight champion before a crowd of 96,000 fans.
