With Deontay Wilder set to make his return to the ring next month what is his future in the sport?
Wilder once ruled the heavyweight division and was seen as the most feared man in the sport.
The 39-year-old had one of the most entertaining reigns at the peak of the sport, defending his title 10 times with nine wins coming by stoppage.
This era came to a close however in his infamous trilogy with Tyson Fury where he would eventually be stopped and lose the belts.
Since then, the Alabama native has looked a shell of the man he was a few years back, despite his stoppage win over Helenius; Wilder lost on points to Joesph Parker in an unimpressive showing and was brutally stopped by Zhilei Zhang last July.
Most people thought Wilder’s time was done but he has announced his return and faces compatriot Tyrrell Herndon who looks to pick up a massive name on his resume.
Wilder must come through this test if he has any sort of plans of challenging at the top of the sport once again.
He looked gun-shy against Parker and Zhang so will be hoping for a trademark ‘The Bronze Bomber’ stoppage we once became so accustomed to.
One name that has sparked up as a future opponent for Wilder has revealed themselves recently.
WBC interim heavyweight champion, Agit Kabayel recently spoke to Sport.de and revealed talks with Wilder and himself have taken place.
Kabayel, coming off a fourth round stoppage win against Zhilei Zhang – the man to last share the ring with Wilder – said “Deontay Wilder has also been mentioned as a potential opponent in Germany”
“These are all things that are happening in the background, and nothing concrete has been confirmed.”
For Wilder a shot at Kabayel could prove to be the opportunity he needs to get back to the top.
He would come in as a massive underdog, given the German’s recent form and ranking.
The 32-year-old is in a great position especially after July 19 where a new undisputed world champion will be crowned between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois.
Wilder’s long-term future will remain uncertain until July 28 where the world will see if ‘The Bronze Bomber’ really is finished or if he still has some of that one shot star power left in the tank.
