Deontay Wilder is set for an April ring return to convince fans that he is still worthy of a seat at the heavyweight division’s top table.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ reigned as WBC Heavyweight Champion for half a decade before losing his belt to Tyson Fury and failing to win it back in their trilogy bout. He returned from those two stoppages one year later to score another knockout of his own against Robert Helenius, but faced another period of inactivity thereafter.
That didn’t help in a fight with Joseph Parker, who upset the odds with a shut out victory. Wilder then attempted to get back to winning ways against Zhilei Zhang but was stopped inside five rounds.
Though some have called for his retirement at age 39, the knockout artists from Alabama is set to announce a comeback bout against journeyman Curtis Harper.
Even if Wilder’s form has dipped significantly as of late, and he will be closing in on another year of inactivity when he fights again, Harper (18-11, 12 KOs) is not expected to win. In fact, ‘The Bronze Bomber’s team will largely see the bout as a confidence builder and stepping stone to another big night under the lights.
However, speaking to Boxing Scene, Harper said he has what it takes to cause a monumental upset – one that would likely spell the end of Wilder’s campaign.
“I’m going to be in the best shape to fight Deontay Wilder, mentally and physically. I expect to show people what I can do and what I’m capable of given the time and the right opportunity to do so.
“He’s a former heavyweight champion of the world and he’s just another man. Nothing special, he’s just another man. You can never underestimate somebody by their last losses, just who they are when they walk into that ring, so they’re underestimating me.
“I’m gonna go in there as if I’m Curtis Harper and he’s supposed to put me down. And I’m gonna [do] everything in my will to put him down. It’s gonna be a fight. Fist for fist, blow for blow. And he is lucky if he makes it out alive.”
Harper made headlines in 2018 when he walked out of the ring in the first round of his fight against Efe Ajagba, with neither man throwing a punch. He has also fallen short to Zhang and Richard Torrez, though is on a run of four wins in six-rounders.
