Deontay Wilder secured a knockout win, his first since October 2022, defeating Tyrrell Herndon in the seventh round of their headline bout held last night at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita.
Wilder himself acknowledged that it wasn`t the spectacular knockout of his prime, but the stoppage of the clearly outmatched Herndon at 2 minutes and 16 seconds of the seventh round was more characteristic of the `Bronze Bomber` style fans are accustomed to.
The fight began with Wilder employing a patient strategy, utilizing a sharp left jab to create opportunities for his renowned devastating right hand. Herndon attempted to emulate Joseph Parker`s strategy of boxing from a distance, successfully avoiding Wilder`s power but failing to land any meaningful offense himself.
In the second round, Wilder connected with a significant counter left hook, sending Herndon to the canvas for a knockdown. Herndon showed slightly more ambition in the fourth, attempting his own left hook. As the round concluded, Wilder increased his activity, pleasing the Kansas audience.
Referee Ray Corona had a busy night, frequently separating the fighters during clinches. Herndon focused on body shots in the sixth round, while Wilder occasionally landed uppercuts, likely intended to set up his powerful overhand right.
Constantly ducking and holding on, Herndon was forced onto the ropes for a second knockdown in the sixth round. In the seventh, the fighter from Texas took a voluntary knee, seemingly expressing discomfort with Wilder`s aggressive approach. Commentator Gabe Rosado remarked on the broadcast, “It`s just a matter of time now.”
Rosado proved correct, though the finish wasn`t the dramatic knockout many anticipated. Herndon absorbed a glancing right hand and referee Ray Corona intervened as Tyrrell slumped against the ropes for the third time.
“I took a long break to focus on my mental, physical, and emotional well-being,” Wilder stated after the fight.
“It`s been a journey to get here, and I`m simply happy to be competing again,” he added. “I understand this wasn`t the explosive knockout people expected, but that will come. This feels like a fresh start for me.”
With his record now standing at 44-4-1 (43 KOs), Wilder wasn`t immediately questioned about his future plans, though the broadcast team speculated that a highly anticipated bout with Anthony Joshua is still a possibility. Herndon`s record dropped to 24-6 (15 KOs); his performance was largely consistent with expectations given the mismatch.
