A former heavyweight champion returns to the ring this weekend after a full year out.<\/p>\n
Time away from boxing can prove costly to a fighter\u2019s career. They lose momentum and pick up ring rust that can be hard to shake off, especially if they are towards the end of their career, when time is not on their side for a rebuild.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the issue facing former WBC ruler Deontay Wilder. After four losses in his last five fights, including two KOs at the hands of Tyson Fury, a points loss to Joseph Parker then another stoppage loss to Zhilei Zhang last time out in June 2024, he has been out of the spotlight.<\/p>\n
He returns this weekend for one last shot at getting back into world title contention when he takes on the little-known Tyrrell Herndon.<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking to The Ring Magazine<\/a>, \u2018The Bronze Bomber\u2019 claims the time away was well spent improving himself mentally.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a comeback because I never retired \u2014 it\u2019s the return.<\/p>\n I had to take a wellness check for my career and life in general. I sought a sports psychologist. I didn\u2019t tell my team about anything because, in my mind, I wanted to say that I was strong enough to get myself back together without anyone noticing anything. But unfortunately, that wasn\u2019t the case and I needed help. After my last fight, I understood that something was wrong with me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He then declared that he is back to his best and ready to show it.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so much better now with my mindset \u2014 mentally, physically, emotionally. I\u2019m physically healthy and have my mental health back, too. A lot has happened to me, but God is good. I am ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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