2 minutes The 'Bronze Bomber' is set to face Zhilei Zhang in June, hoping to rebound from a surprising defeat to Joseph Parker.
Deontay Wilder is gearing up for a significant return to the ring, with a new challenge on the horizon as he prepares for his comeback.
The 'Bronze Bomber' is set to face Zhilei Zhang in June, hoping to rebound from a surprising defeat to Joseph Parker.
A victory here could open up numerous opportunities, including a bout with American prospect Jared Anderson. Tyson Fury, Wilder's previous opponent, has lauded Anderson, predicting he will climb to the division's summit and claim the world champion title.
Anderson, earned a dominant points win over Ryad Merhy on April 13, is confident about his abilities against Wilder.
"I respect Deontay," he stated.
"I think he has one hell of a punch. But he can't beat me, and I'm just going to leave it at that. I'm too much of a well-rounded boxer, and I'm going to beat him in great fashion.”
Anderson emphasized his commitment to improvement, aiming to be prepared for any significant challenges that may arise.
Since beginning his undefeated professional career, Anderson boasts 17 victories, with a standout win over former world champion Charles Martin in June 2023. He also sparred with Fury before Fury’s match against Dillian Whyte in April, earning high praise and being named the 'heir to the throne'—a testament likely to spur Anderson towards greater achievements in the sport.
Facing Wilder would pose the toughest challenge of Anderson's career yet, especially with the competitive online betting boxing scene watching closely. At 38, Wilder is showing excellent form in training, according to his coach Malik Scott, who views this phase as potentially the last significant run in the division for Wilder.
Despite a lackluster performance leading to a unanimous decision loss to Parker in December 2023, Wilder dismissed talks of retirement. Curiously, Scott attributed this defeat to Wilder’s use of the recreational drug Ayahuasca during his preparation.
Wilder's career is at a critical junction, but a win over Zhang could catapult him back into world title contention. Although his planned showdown with Anthony Joshua was compromised by his recent loss, Wilder remains focused on securing that high-profile fight.
As for Anderson, he is eager to validate Fury’s endorsement and has hinted at an ambitious, albeit possibly brief, ascendancy in boxing.