Deontay Wilder returned to winning ways at with a seventh-round stoppage win over Tyrrell Herndon in Wichita, Kansas on Friday.
Wilder was on a poor run of form that had showed signs of father time catching up with him, and last time out, Zhilei Zhang condemned him to a fourth professional defeat in five rounds in Riyadh last June. Herndon wasn’t expected to push the Alabama man much, with the 37-year-old halted four times in his five career defeats.
Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) arrived for this one looking much bigger than in previous fights, and he started with a trio of left hands finding their mark in the first round with little coming back.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ was dominant, and a counter left hook saw Herndon on the deck in the second round, but he bravely managed to beat the count.
The 39-year-old’s left hand was in fine form, with the Texan having no answer for it, and he was rocked by the shot at the end of the fourth in what was little more than target practice for the former heavyweight world champion.
Deontay Wilder is BACK 💣#WilderHerndon pic.twitter.com/lECrlXtCOp
— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) June 28, 2025
Herndon (24-6, 15 KOs) was slowing down, but Wilder was struggling to land cleanly, but that changed in the sixth, where Herndon’s glove touched the canvas and he was counted.
Wilder went for broke, but would have to wait a round later to complete the job, with a tiring Herndon taking too many big blows that forced the referee to intervene and call an end to the fight.
It was Wilder’s first early win since October 2022 and he remains on course for a long-awaited showdown with fellow former heavyweight titlist, Anthony Joshua.
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Undercard
Deon Nicholson (22-1, 18 KOs) took his light heavyweight meeting with Devonte Williams (13-2, 6 KOs) via fourth-round stoppage, and heavyweight novice Gustavo Trujillio (8-0, 7 kOs) took a sixth-round stoppage victory against the experienced Nigerian, Lateef Kayode (22-6, 17 KOs).
In six round contests, Jeff Page Jr (18-4, 12 KOs) was upset by Aaron Casper (9-11-2, 5 KOs), as the cruiserweight lost a unanimous decision.
Super middleweight hope Marco Romero (9-0, 8 KOs) needed less than a round to deal with Andre Amaro (2-1, 2 KOs), and Nico Hernandez (12-0, 5 KOs) knocked out Robert Ledesma (3-15-1, 2 KOs) in two rounds at super flyweight.
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At super lightweight, Jorge Carlos (10-0, 9 KOs) was a first round winner against Kerim Morkoc (4-3-1, 4 KOs), and heavyweight banger John Cantrell (14-0, 13 KOs) was also an opening-round victor in his contest with Franklin Sparks (4-5, 3 KOs).
At four-round level, Kayla Williams (2-1, 1 KOs) won on points against Helen Lucero (0-5) at lightweight, and debutant Chancey Wilson (1-0) won on points against Joshua Richey (0-1) at featherweight.
At lightweight, Eric Valencia (4-0, 4 KOs) blasted out Willie Harris (0-2) inside a round, and Miguel Noah Aldana (4-0, 4 KOs) recorded a first-round stoppage against General Lee (0-1) at super lightweight.
