Deontay Wilder Appears to be Back Training; Is he Returning Soon?
Deontay “Bomb Squad” Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) has been a hot topic in boxing chatrooms and on social media throughout the summer. What’s known is that the former WBC heavyweight champ does plan to fight again. The lingering question is a matter of ‘when’. There are now signs that the hard-hitting heavyweight is plotting his return.
Photos have surfaced showing 36-year-old in the gym working with number one-ranked WBA heavyweight Michael Hunter and former 168 and 175-pound champ Badou Jack. Is this a sign that the former champ is returning sooner rather than later?
TRIMMED-DOWN “BOMB SQUAD”
The last time he was in action, the pride of Tuscaloosa, Alabama was stopped in eleven rounds in his trilogy against reigning WBC champ Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) in October 2021. For that fight, Wilder felt the need to add weight. He packed on a lot of muscle and weighed a career-high 238-pounds. It seems Wilder has now taken off the added muscle weight and looks noticeably smaller now than opposed to his third fight with Fury.
Those extra pounds did not serve him well in that trilogy bout. After putting Fury down twice in the fourth round, he tired before being taken out. It now seems we are witnessing the return of a leaner fighter that shaped his championship reign.
LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS RETURN
As for when exactly his next bout will occur, that is still not known. Word on the street was that he could return as soon as October against Robert Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs), ranked second by the WBA and tenth by the WBC. As of this writing however, that has not been confirmed.
Wilder in the gym again should be viewed as a welcomed sight. He is arguably the hardest puncher in the sport and has an extensive fanbase. This is someone who is still marketable and a mainstream attraction. Stay tuned to 3Kings Boxing for further updates.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
