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Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is set to make his return to the boxing ring in June, according to reports. Despite recent setbacks, Wilder remains one of the most prominent figures in the sport.
Since losing his WBC heavyweight title to Tyson Fury in early 2020, Wilder has faced challenges in reclaiming his former glory. A trilogy bout with Fury in 2021 ended in defeat, but he bounced back with a victory over Robert Helenius in late 2022. This win set up a much-anticipated rematch with Anthony Joshua, contingent on defeating Joseph Parker in December 2023.
However, Wilder was outmatched by Parker, leading to a significant upset and the loss of his chance to fight Joshua. This missed opportunity, along with his recent losses, led some to speculate about Wilder's retirement. Yet, the boxer has other plans.
ESPN Ringside's Mike Coppinger reported that Wilder will return to the ring on June 1st in Saudi Arabia, where he will face Zhilei Zhang. Both fighters are coming off losses to Parker, making this matchup particularly intriguing.
The fight is expected to take place on the undercard of Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev, a highly anticipated light-heavyweight unification bout. This event promises to be a highlight of the boxing calendar for 2024.
June 1st is shaping up to be a busy day for combat sports, with UFC 302 and Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2 also scheduled for the same night.