In recent years, few fighters have seen a fall as sharp as the one faced by the man known for putting opponents to sleep with a single punch—Deontay Wilder. ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ who had racked up a 32-fight knockout streak between 2008 and 2015, suddenly found himself slipping. After two losses to Tyson Fury and then two more losses in the last two years to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, it became clear to Wilder that something was off.
Ahead of his June 27 return against Tyrrell Anthony Herndon, The Ring got to the heart of the matter in a deeply personal interview. What came out wasn’t just about boxing—it was about the struggle of being human, even when you’re one of the most feared men in the sport.
Deontay Wilder admitted, “I had to take a wellness check for my career and life in general. I sought a sports psychologist.” For a man who built his image on toughness and control, this was a big reveal. He continued, “I didn’t tell my team … I wanted to say that I was strong enough to get myself back together without anyone noticing… but unfortunately … I needed help. After my last fight, I understood that something was wrong with me.”
That kind of honesty doesn’t come easy, especially for someone who used to thrive on being untouchable. But it was real, and it showed that even warriors can feel lost sometimes.
Now, things are different. “I am so much better now with my mindset—mentally, physically, emotionally. I’m physically healthy and have my mental health back, too. A lot has happened to me, but God is good. I’m ready to go,” Wilder shared. He’s not just stepping back into the ring—he’s coming back with a renewed spirit. First stop: a win over Tyrrell Herndon on June 27 in Wichita, Kansas.
What makes this comeback different isn’t just physical—it’s deeply personal. The man who once relied only on power is now fueled by something stronger: self-awareness.
At its core, this isn’t just another sports headline—it’s a reminder that strength isn’t just about muscle and grit. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to ask for help. And now, one of the most dangerous punchers in boxing is back—not just to win, but to grow. And that’s a fight worth watching.
Deontay Wilder and the brutal business of survival
Deontay Wilder has never been one to filter his thoughts, and as he nears his return to the ring, he’s sparked yet another conversation—this time not with a punch, but with a mic. In a bold and revealing statement to BoxingScene, the Alabama knockout artist challenged the very label boxing has worn for centuries: a sport. For Wilder, it’s not a contest—it’s combat with a paycheck.
“This business is not a sport. I don’t even like it when people call it a sport,” Wilder said emphatically. What followed was a blistering critique of how boxing treats its fighters compared to traditional sports. “Just because two men face each other and show sportsmanship within a business—that doesn’t make it a sport… Boxing has none of what real sports offer their athletes.”
His words come at a time when the fight world is buzzing, not just because of his upcoming bout against Tyrrell Herndon in Wichita on June 27, but also with the Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. circus looming this Saturday. Wilder’s comments serve as a timely reminder of the darker underbelly of prizefighting, a world where cuts, concussions, and crooked contracts often replace rules and rewards.
Wilder, now 39, knows the harsh grind better than most. With a record of 43-4-1, and having suffered back-to-back defeats, he admits his comeback is driven more by personal fire than love for the business. “It’s all about oneself,” he said—perhaps his most honest jab yet. And while he’s chasing redemption inside the ropes, outside them, he’s already thrown the first haymaker in a fresh round of truth-telling.
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