Deontay Wilder wins comeback fight with KO
Deontay Wilder secures 43rd KO
Deontay Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) stopped Tyrrell Anthony Herndon (24-6, 15 KOs) in the seventh round of a scheduled 10, on Friday, June 27, in Wichita.
Herndon was also down in rounds two and six, but was stopped still standing.
39-year-old Wilder took the centre of the ring, jabbing Herndon, who wasn't looking to engage early, circling the outside the of the ring and boxing at a very low pace.
The first round was incredibly tepid, bordering on dull. Wilder tried to unload a big left hook, but just swiped at air.
In the second stanza, he was more authoritative with his jab and landed a signature big one-two early on. He begun to let his right hand go, backing Herndon up to the ropes. Then, Herndon came forward and Wilder landed a lovely counter left check-hook to floor his man, but it wasn't a hurtful shot, just caught him off-balance. He complained it was a slip, but he was definitely sent tumbling by a punch. But, it was an enjoyable round.
In the third round, Herndon was slipping shots, making "The Bronze Bomber" miss but forgetting to make him pay.
Wilder was patient, calm and composed, not showing any signs of the swinging, windmilling boxer he is known for. The Alabaman was showing some sound boxing skills, but it was in a safe environment with an opponent that wasn't posing any risk or pressure. But then Herndon landed a solid left hook, which appeared to have landed on the guard, but he felt the need to follow up perhaps sensing Wilder was momentarily hurt.
The fourth round was a little scrappy, with Herndon showing some positive signs that he was still in the fight.
Wilder attempted a right hand early in the fifth, but Herndon rode the shot. He swiped at Herndon with another of his check left hooks. He landed another one on the ropes as Herndon waded in recklessly. Herndon threw back some double jabs, backing Wilder up. The former WBC heavyweight champion missed wildly with a left hook as Herndon rolled underneath.
Herndon swung at Wilder with a right hook after a clinch, but ended up trapped in the corner.
Wilder was back on his jab in the sixth, setting up the big right hand. He landed with one, missed with the next one grazing Herndon's back as he bent over, then was tumbled over to the floor and scored as a knockdown. The first knockdown was clear and he complained about it, this one didn't seem like a knockdown, but Herndon accepted it without argument.
Wilder piled on the pressure and Herndon was soon down again. Trapped on the ropes, using them to lean back from Wilder's power, but he ended up slumped on the middle ropes, citing another count.
Wilder ended the round pounding Herndon with powerful right hands. Herndon ended the round on his knees, but the referee ruled it as a slip. The ex-Texas heavyweight champion was seconds away from being stopped, but the bell saved him.
Wilder landed a lovely swiping left hook in the first minute if the seventh stanza. He kept jabbing at Herndon, who tried to jab back but it lacked any conviction. Then Herndon bizarrely stopped boxing in the corner as he crouched down and Wilder waited for the referee to intervene, but carried on hitting, so Herndon took a knee and the referee waved away the knockdown.
Wilder landed another left hook, then a one-two, and referee Ray Corona jumped in to stop the fight. Herndon complained but he wasn't showing anything, so it was a right call from the official in charge.
It was a good run-out for Wilder, the perfect comeback fight for him. His opponent was a little slippery, he had to work to break him down, he showed some improved boxing skills with that successful left hook, but it was far from top-level still.
Apparently, his next fight is all booked in the diary already, so his team would do well to pick a higher level opponent that won't pose too much of a risk.
Then, we may finally get the Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua fight in 2026.
