Deontay Wilder has secured a win after a challenging period marked by consecutive fights and losing four out of five matches. The former WBC heavyweight champion made his comeback in Wichita, Kansas, on Friday, defeating Tyrrell Herndon by stoppage in the seventh round.
Wilder came out more aggressive than in his recent bouts against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, pushing forward rather than relying heavily on his jab. Although Herndon struggled to evade Wilder’s attacks, he managed to hold his ground initially. In the second round, Wilder increased the pressure, causing Herndon to stumble with a left hook knockdown. Despite being shaken, Herndon endured through the round.
Throughout the fight, Herndon sought openings to counter Wilder’s powerful punches, and although Wilder displayed greater aggression, he had yet to seriously hurt Herndon. That changed in the sixth round, where Wilder intensified his assault along the ropes, landing a heavy shot that led to Herndon’s second knockdown. Still, Herndon survived and continued battling.
In the seventh round, Wilder pressed on, and when Herndon faltered and took a straight right hand, the referee stepped in to halt the fight at 2:16. While the stoppage was somewhat questionable, it was generally accepted that Herndon was unlikely to win at that point.
After the fight, Wilder expressed gratitude and viewed this victory as a fresh start. His promoter, Nelson Lopez Jr., mentioned plans for this to be the first of three fights before aiming for a bout with two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. However, Wilder’s performance against Herndon, a fighter with a modest record including early losses to other contenders, may not have significantly advanced him toward that high-profile matchup.
Despite being known as one of boxing’s hardest hitters, Wilder struggled to capitalize fully on his power in this contest, showing improvement in aggression but not dominance.
Fan Take: This win marks a crucial turning point for Wilder fans who have been waiting for him to regain his top form. While the victory may not guarantee a title shot, it signals that Wilder is still a formidable presence in the heavyweight division, keeping the excitement alive in the sport.
