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Wilder’s Career At A Crossroads

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 9:56 AM ET

Deontay Wilder’s career is on the line when he boxes Tyrrell Herndon on June 27, hoping to end his poor run of form.

Wilder is not the same fighter, following his trilogy with Tyson Fury. Wilder secured a draw and was stopped in the other two fights, as he was no longer the WBC Heavyweight Champion. Wilder has only secured one victory from his last five bouts, which came against Robert Helenius in 2022. After the Helenius fights, Wilder came up short against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang in his last fight.

Wilder has faced calls to retire, while there has also been scrutiny on Deontay’s trainer, Malik Scott. The latter has been accused of trying to change Wilder from an athletic fighter to a boxer. Meanwhile, Herndon has won his last three fights. Wins over Daniel Gonzalez, Miree Coleman and Rudy Silvas secured him the Wilder fight. However, this is by far Herndon’s biggest test. Wilder knows he must secure a win to stand any chance of still securing the Anthony Joshua fight.

“I’m here to unify the division. All the things (goals) I had coming in, I still want to accomplish that. I don’t avoid the mission just because certain things didn’t go my way. I can say whatever I want. Talk to the other coaches or talk to my sparring partners and get their opinion about it. I can say anything. I know I’ve returned.

“I‘m injury free. I can honestly say that. It’s a great feeling to feel that way. If anybody knows about the shoulder, they know that’s the longest recovery. If that fight comes about and it’s real, then of course. But I won’t believe it until me and him is in the ring actually face to face,” Wilder said