Deontay Wilder Announces His Next Fight Is Now Signed

[Ruthless-RKO]

“All I Can Say Is Two Time”: Deontay Wilder Announces His Next Fight Is Now Signed

Former long-reigning heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is gearing up for a productive 2026.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ made his long-awaited return to action back in June when he stopped countryman Tyrrell Herndon in the seventh round of their clash at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

The 40-year-old from Alabama had reportedly been on the verge of retiring from the sport after he suffered consecutive defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, but the former WBC heavyweight champion has set his sights on pushing towards becoming a two-time heavyweight champion next year.

Speaking to renowned livestreamer N3on recently, Wilder revealed that he has signed a contract for a fight that is set to take place in January, as he claims he is looking forward to a ‘big year’.

“I do have something coming up. We’re looking in January. I’ve signed the contract already. I can’t [give] no details at this point, but it’s definitely live. It’s gonna happen. I got a big year next year, I’m looking forward to it … all I can say is two-time. Let’s go.”

It remains to be seen exactly who Wilder’s next opponent will be however, considering Ukrainian superstar Oleksandr Usyk currently holds all four of the major world heavyweight titles.

Reports have suggested that ‘The Bronze Bomber’ could be in line to face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou next, although it is also being speculated that he could be pursuing a long-awaited showdown with two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who is gearing up to make his return to action as well.

Any of these big nights under the lights is likely to come after this January return, which manager Shelly Finkel has said will happen ‘overseas.’

[joshj909]

Based on who is available and recent events, my guess is Chisora (who likely bullies him for 12 rounds), or possibly Itauma or Wardley but those are less likely. Unless he's going for someone that isn't a name which would not be out of the ordinary. The best fights out there for him from a fan perspective are any of the Americans, Makhmudov or Ajagba. Could you imagine if it's Allen?

Ngannou is going to be the wildcard option and is probably a 50/50 fight depending on who lands cleanly first. Very unlikely to be Joshua as Hearn said he's fighting this year.

EDIT: I just read the quote then more on the conversation being had and now I'm thinking it's going to be a bum

[londonwar]

long reigning heavyweight champion ?

what a world

[Cyclops]

I foresee another unknown. Wilder needs to get his confidence back, and for that matter the confidence of fans, before he can work himself back into a huge payday fight with some expectation that he could possibly win.

AJ's next fight is also a run-out, as per Eddie Hearn. Those are the two guys that make the most sense fighting each other, especially if Fury really is gone for good, so let them both get a win against somebody who will put up little to no resistance, and then match them together.

[gregregegg]

Whyte? Would make sense why Whyte pulled out vs chisora….

Whyte, AJ and nganu are the risk reward fights left for wilder at that age. (And I guess if he won them Usyk)

[Cyclops]

Whyte? Would make sense why Whyte pulled out vs chisora….

Whyte, AJ and nganu are the risk reward fights left for wilder at that age. (And I guess if he won them Usyk)

Whyte crossed my mind but it's Chisora who seems to have pulled out, as he's not fighting anybody at all on that mooted December date.

[chinarich]

Andy Ruiz, apparently…

[joshj909]

Andy Ruiz, apparently…

About 5 years too late. Still the biggest all American heavyweight fight in over a decade though

[JamesPhilips]

Andy Ruiz, apparently…

About 5 years too late. Still the biggest all American heavyweight fight in over a decade though

Is it announced or signed?

[joshj909]

Andy Ruiz, apparently…

About 5 years too late. Still the biggest all American heavyweight fight in over a decade though

Is it announced or signed?

I'm assuming the rumours are that it is signed but it hasn't been announced yet. I was just replying to the post that it's rumoured to be them

[gilgamesh]

Wilder vs Ruiz would be interesting. A bit of a mystery too, because I'm not too sure what Ruiz has left, but I'm pretty sure what Wilder has left, and it ain't much.

It's kinda hard for me to imagine how Wilder would beat Ruiz, unless Ruiz shows up at like 290 pounds, and just sleepwalks through the fight.