Deontay Wilder 'hungry and healthy' as he chases heavyweight unification dream

Former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder insists he has unfinished business in boxing, revealing he still harbours ambitions of unifying titles in the blue-riband division.

The 39-year-old returns to the ring in June against Tyrrell Herndon at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas, marking his 49th career fight.

It’s been nearly a year since Zhilei Zhang stopped him in five rounds, a loss that followed a clear decision defeat to Joseph Parker over 12 rounds - his second consecutive setback after once reigning as the WBC heavyweight champion.

Known in his prime for thrilling knockouts and a legendary trilogy against Tyson Fury, Wilder appeared this week on the Ariel X Ade show on DAZN Boxing’s YouTube channel, and dismissed any notion of retirement.

"No retirement questions in my mind whatsoever because I couldn’t understand what was going on with me at the moment in time," he said.

"I couldn’t pinpoint why certain things were happening, certain events were occurring. After the Zhang fight, I finally realised what was going on with me and I immediately took action."

Wilder declined to elaborate on the “deep thoughts” he shared with manager Shelly Finkel, but he assured fans he’s physically and mentally ready to return.

His recent losses to Zhang and Parker - marked by wild, lethargic performances - left many doubting his elite-level ability.

"I’m so much better than my past outings," he countered.

"I’m way better than what I’ve been doing - everybody knows that. Certain things happened, certain events altered my way of thinking. I had to go out and get help, but I’m back."

Wilder also cited a lingering right shoulder injury, tied to his devastating right hand, as a factor.

"At one point it healed, and then I ended up having an accident. Falling on that same shoulder, I had to start the process over again.

"All I had was pain 24 hours a day. Every time I threw my right hand, it was nothing but pain, so I had to build a high tolerance for it. Long story short, I’m fully healed."

Facing Herndon (24-5, with losses to Efe Ajagba, Brandon Glanton, and Richard Torrez Jr.), Wilder is the heavy favourite to win - and to do so explosively.

Though Herndon’s résumé pales beside Wilder’s, the former champion must deliver a statement.

His name still carries clout, and a world title shot isn’t unthinkable.

"The mission is still to unify the division," Wilder declared.

"We still here, still young, I’m healthy. It’s still a lot of excitement, and who better to bring the excitement, especially when Deontay Wilder is fully healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally.

"Here I am yet again pursuing myself at becoming a unified champion."

For now, Wilder isn’t naming targets - he’ll focus on June 27, aiming to reignite talk of clashes with Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Dubois, or Anthony Joshua - fights once thought impossible.

As Don King might say, "If it makes dollars, it makes sense."

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Shaun Brown

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