DEONTAY Wilder made his boxing return with a seventh-round stoppage win over Tyrrell Herndon.The Bronze Bomber had been out of action since his knockout defeat to Zhilei Zhang last June.The victory for Wilder looks set to see him move back into the fold for a big-name fight, with many boxing fans still keen to see the long-overdue Anthony Joshua bout.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…Wilder wanted to show moreDeontay Wilder largely kept to his jab during the fight, and said in the post-fight press conference he had wanted to display that he is more than just a KO artist.Wilder said: “I wanted to display more. Taking my time to be able to set up my shot and become more than my right hand. I want to become a complete, all-round fighter.”Copy linkCopiedExclusive – Wilder’s next fightNelson Lopez Jr – who promoted Wilder’s comeback fight – told SunSport the American’s next comeback fight is already pencilled in.And then an anticipated showdown against Anthony Joshua has been targeted for next year.Nelson said: “We got a tentative deal and we’re just going one by one. “We have the next one set up, this one set up, nothing solid for the third one – you know how boxing is, there’s no path of how you succeed.”We have to get over this, so anything can happen. We got to get over the next one. Anything can happen.”And then, you know maybe Eddie (Hearn) will sit at the table and see what we can do something with AJ.”Copy linkCopiedWilder speaksDeontay Wilder said: “It felt great. Thanks to my opponent, I appreciate the work.”I’ve been laid off for a long time, getting myself back together, repairing myself emotionally.”It is just nice to be back in the ring. This is a new beginning for me.”Copy linkCopiedWilder floors HerndonDeontay Wilder floored Tyrrell Herndon twice before winning his comeback fight in seven rounds.The former WBC heavyweight world champion returned to the ring in Wichita, Kansas against little-known Herndon.And he did so without a win since 2022 – having lost on points to Joseph Parker before a crushing KO defeat to Zhilei Zhang.But Wilder did get back in the win column after dropping Herndon first in round two with a left hook then with a combination in the seventh.Copy linkCopiedWilder vs Jake Paul?Jake Paul is back in action himself tonight against former middleweight champ Julio Chavez Jr.A win a day out from each other…could the pair be on a collision course for later this year?Watch this space.Copy linkCopiedWilder: A new beginningDeontay Wilder says his big comeback win last night is a “new beginning” for his career.Wilder can now look ahead to the mega-fights against Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou after dropping Tyrrell Herndon twice en route to a seventh-round stoppage.Wilder said after the win: “It felt great. Thanks to my opponent, I appreciate the work. “I’ve been laid off for a long time, getting myself back together, repairing myself emotionally. It is just nice to be back in the ring. This is a new beginning for me.”Copy linkCopiedThe fight everyone wants to seeWith such similar attributes and physique, many want to see Deontay Wilder face Anthony Joshua next.While rumours still circulate of the return of Tyson Fury for that huge ‘Battle of Britain’ clash, it is a fight that the Wilder camp could lock down before anything is agreed.The location would be key, no doubt both boxers would want to stage it in their own country, in front of their own fans.Credit: @boxingsceneCopy linkCopiedConfidence key for Bronze BomberThe two defeats suffered by Wilder before his taking time out of the ring really seemed to affect the mentality of the boxer.Always such a confident person in his abilities, it almost seemed as though he had begun to doubt the words coming out of his mouth.Getting back into the ring and getting a win under his belt will add some positivity to his camp that he still has plenty to offer in this division.Copy linkCopiedReaching for the starsWith the difference in frames between the two fighters, it was always going to be a tough fight for Tyrrell Herndon.He tried to utilise tactics of going low and getting under the Deontay Wilder punch which seemed to work for large parts of the fight.However, the big problem was his inability to get inside to let his hands go and get telling shots off.As a result, Wilder rarely seemed to be in any trouble and was able to grind him down with body shots to tire him out.Copy linkCopiedPlotting path will be keyAfter two successive defeats many questioned whether it was the end of the road for Wilder.While this victory will not propel his career massively, it was more a necesssity as he looks to rebuild.Choosing that next fight could quite well tell a different story.Whether Anthony Joshua would accept a fight from him after such a recent return to the ring remains to be seen, it may be more a case of Deontay Wilder needing more fights before then.Francis Ngannou could be a more realistic opponent, with talk of a fight in Africa being on the cards.Copy linkCopiedBomb squad with different approachIn his prime, Wilder was known for his knockout abilities and those big right hand blows.The tactics seemed to differ this evening as he tried to box behind his jab and utilise the left hook more.Wilder still tried to land that big right hand but with Herndon looking to duck under the punches, making it difficult to land a telling blow on him.The next opponent will be a choice Wilder and his team need to carefully consider, the right one could be a stepping stone, the wrong one could hamper any chance of getting his career back on track.Copy linkCopiedDemons laid bare in ringDeontay Wilder needed time to reset after his two most recent defeats.The former champion wanted to be an undisputed champion in the division but that was ended by the trilogy against Tyson Fury.Subsequent defeats by Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang really tarnished the career of the Bronze Bomber.However, the talk after this fight, 39-year-old Deontay Wilder seemed to have no thoughts of hanging up his gloves at all.He would love nothing more than to have that big payday fight againnst someone like Anthony Joshua as both boxers look to repair their heavyweight careers.Copy linkCopiedVictory on return for WilderThe Bronze Bomber gave his thoughts on his victory against Tyrrell Herndon this evening:It felt great. Thanks to my opponent, I appreciate the work. I’ve been laid off for a long time, getting myself back together, repairing myself emotionally. It is just nice to be back in the ring. This is a new beginning for me. Deontay WilderUSACopy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder vs Tyrrell Herndon (Round 7)As Wilder continued to pick his shots, Herndon seemed to be offering less and less in terms of punches.The referee warned him that he needs to be active and fighting in the last two rounds but he did not heed the warning.It may have been stopped a little early but you can see why the official stepped in.What only seemed a matter of time until the Bronze Bomber landed a big hit that toppled his opponent.Copy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder wins by stoppageCopy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder vs Tyrrell Herndon (Round 6)Herndon continues to duck under the Wilder punch.It makes it difficult for the Bronze Bomber to land a telling shot.Wilder feels Herndon is thhere for the taking now as he fires off shots with his opponent pressed the ropes and gets a knockdown as his glove touches the canvas.Just as the bell sounds, Wilder sends him to the canvas again but the bell saves him.Copy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder vs Tyrrell Herndon (Round 5)Wilder lands a good short uppercut.His jabs are scoring but not wearing down Herndon.There is no doubt Wilder has won every round so far and his opponent seems to be gassing a little towards the end of the round.Copy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder vs Tyrrell Herndon (Round 4)Wilder continues to get his jabs and hooks in.A good check-hook lands but Herndon wears it well.Herndon does manage to get some shots in as he comes inside and asks some questions of Wilder.That should give him some confidence that if he does get inside and to fire some shots off, he can cause Wilder some problems.Copy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder vs Tyrrell Herndon (Round 3)There is so little offence being offered from Herndon.Wilder is the bigger man and his long reach is stopping him coming inside.The Bronze Bomber is landing scoring punches with the jabs and hooks but has not landed a shot to rock his opponent yet.Even the punch that caused Herndon going to the canvas did not seem to hurt him.Copy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder vs Tyrrell Herndon (Round 2)Wilder lands a good left hook that catches his opponent.He looks to follow up with a right but Herndon dodges it well.The long jab of Wilder keeps him at bay but towards the end of the round, a shot from the Bronze Bomber sends Herndon to the canvas.He immediately tells the referee it was a slip but the hook to the chest did send him to the canvas, although his momentum helped massively too.Copy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder vs Tyrrell Herndon (Round 1)Wilder looks to work the jab early on.He is cutting off the ring as Herndon looks to move around.Herndon looks wary of that right hand of the Bronze Bomber annd is keeping an eye out for it.That said, he has landed little to nothing in that round.Wilder seems to be patient in his tactics, we will see how long that lasts.Copy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder vs Tyrrell HerndonWilder comes into this fight stating he has nothing to prove.Much of the boxing world sees that very differently.After two disappointing defeats, the former WBC world champion needs to show he is that same boxer who wore that belt.Copy linkCopiedDeontay Wilder vs Tyrrell HerndonNow it is time for the fight everyone has been waiting for.Wilder, having lost his last two fights, has a win at all costs bout this evening.An upset here would no doubt put a question over the end of his career.The Bronze Bomber will be wanting to make a statement in this one.Copy linkCopiedNico Hernandez vs Robert Ledesma That was a truly dominant performance from Hernandez.In front of his hometown crowd, he really put on a show for them.His combinations and heavy body shots were just too much for Ledesma.Hernandez almost got the stoppage at the end of the first round but made sure he finished the job at the start of the second round with his opponent given a ten-count.Copy linkCopiedNico Hernandez beats Robert Ledesma by TKOCopy linkCopied More
