Deontay Wilder’s thunderous right hand made its long-awaited return to the spotlight Friday night, as the former WBC heavyweight champion secured a seventh-round stoppage victory over Tyrrell Herndon at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas.
The win marks Wilder’s first triumph since October 2022, ending a troubling streak that had seen the “Bronze Bomber” lose four of his previous five bouts and raised questions about his future in the sport.
Wilder, 39, demonstrated his signature power throughout the contest, dropping Herndon in the second round before scoring another knockdown in the sixth. The end came in the seventh when Wilder unleashed a barrage of his feared right hands, prompting referee Ray Corona to halt the action and save Herndon from further punishment.
“And there’s that right hand, gets through the defense again, and there’s a huge right hand, knocks back Herndon, and Ray Corona stops it!” called out the ringside commentator as Wilder’s devastating power once again proved decisive.
The victory breathes new life into Wilder’s career after a difficult stretch that included back-to-back losses to Tyson Fury, a defeat to Joseph Parker in 2023, and most recently, a loss to China’s Zhilei Zhang in June 2024. Following that last setback, speculation had mounted that the Alabama native might retire from the sport altogether.
Instead, Wilder (44-4-1) announced in March his intention to return to the ring, selecting Herndon as his comeback opponent. The decision has paid dividends, keeping Wilder relevant in the heavyweight landscape and potentially setting up more significant opportunities.
Social media immediately began buzzing about potential future matchups, with British heavyweight Dave Allen mentioned as a possible next opponent. While Allen would represent another step in Wilder’s rebuilding process, fans will inevitably wonder if the power-punching American can work his way back to the division’s elite.
Wilder’s career highlights include a WBC heavyweight championship reign that lasted five years and included ten successful title defenses before his second encounter with Fury in 2020. His punching power has made him one of boxing’s most feared knockout artists, with 42 of his 44 professional victories coming inside the distance.
