There aren’t many heavyweights who can still stop a show with a single right hand. Deontay Wilder, the former WBC champion, hasn’t lost that ability — and as of June 2025, he’s back in the ring proving it.

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Record: 45-4-1 (40 KOs) ·
Championship: Former WBC Heavyweight Champion ·
Last fight: Win over Tyrrell Herndon (June 27, 2025)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Wilder’s professional record after June 27, 2025: 45-4-1 (Premier Boxing Champions)
  • Daughter Naieya was born March 20, 2005 with spina bifida (ESPN)
  • Wilder defeated Tyrrell Anthony Herndon on June 27, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas (The Tennessean)
2What’s unclear
  • Precise weight for upcoming fights
  • Outcome of future title shots
3Timeline signal
  • March 2005: Daughter Naieya born with spina bifida (PBC)
  • June 2025: Wilder returns with win over Herndon (PBC)
4What’s next

The table below aggregates Wilder’s essential career statistics from authoritative sources.

Confirmed career data
Label Value Source
Current Record 45–4–1 (40 KOs) Premier Boxing Champions
Daughter’s Disability Spina bifida (diagnosed March 2005) ESPN
Former Title WBC Heavyweight Champion ESPN

What is Deontay Wilder doing now?

After a stretch of losses to top contenders, Wilder stepped back into the ring on June 27, 2025, facing Tyrrell Anthony Herndon at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. Premier Boxing Champions reported the bout as his return to action, and Wilder secured a victory that improved his professional record to 45-4-1. The Tennessean noted that Herndon entered the fight with a 24-5 record and 15 knockouts, making the win a credible step in Wilder’s comeback trail.

What this means: Wilder is rebuilding his career methodically, avoiding the trap of rushing back into a title fight. A win over Chisora would put him back in contention for a heavyweight title eliminator.

When is Deontay Wilder’s next fight?

As of April 2026, Wilder was reportedly in discussions for a bout with veteran heavyweight Derek Chisora, according to an interview in The Athletic. No official date has been set, but the matchup would give Wilder another chance to prove he can still compete at the highest level.

How many fights has Wilder lost?

Wilder’s professional record includes four losses. Before the Herndon fight, his record stood at 43-4-1, as confirmed by The Tennessean. After the victory, Premier Boxing Champions updated his record to 45-4-1. The four defeats came against top-tier opponents: Tyson Fury (twice), Joseph Parker, and Zhilei Zhang. The only blemish on his resume is a split draw with Fury in 2018, a fight many felt Wilder had won.

  • Loss 1: Tyson Fury (TKO, 2020) – lost WBC title
  • Loss 2: Tyson Fury (KO, 2021) – trilogy finale
  • Loss 3: Joseph Parker (unanimous decision, 2023)
  • Loss 4: Zhilei Zhang (KO, 2024)

The pattern: Wilder has struggled against boxers who can take his power and fight on the inside. His knockout percentage remains elite, but his losses reveal vulnerabilities when opponents neutralize his right hand.

How powerful is Deontay Wilder’s punch?

In 2019, ESPN described Wilder’s right hand as “boxing’s most destructive weapon.” At that time, he had recorded 41 knockouts. Boxing experts quoted by Yahoo Sports placed him in the conversation with legendary punchers Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano. His knockout-to-win percentage is approximately 95%, according to Wikipedia (low-confidence estimate).

Who hit harder, Wilder or Foreman?

George Foreman recorded 68 knockouts in 76 wins (89.5% KO rate). Wilder’s rate is approximately 95%, but Foreman faced more elite competition. The comparison is subjective, but Wilder’s one-punch finishing ability is often rated higher.

Who hit harder, Tyson or Wilder?

Mike Tyson had 44 KOs in 50 wins (88% KO rate). Wilder’s percentage is higher, and his right hand is considered more devastating in isolation. Both are frequently mentioned in lists of the hardest punchers.

Who is the hardest puncher in history?

There is no objective measure, but Wilder is consistently ranked among the top one-punch hitters, alongside Foreman, Tyson, Joe Louis, and Rocky Marciano.

The trade-off: Wilder’s power is undeniable, but his reliance on the right hand makes him predictable against elite opponents who can weather the storm. The comparison to Foreman and Tyson is subjective — both men had higher volume and different styles — but Wilder’s one-punch knockout ability is arguably unmatched in the modern era.

Comparison: Wilder vs Herndon before June 27, 2025

Pre-fight comparison
Attribute Wilder Herndon
Wins 43 24
Losses 4 5
Knockouts 42 15

Source: The Tennessean

What disability does Deontay Wilder’s daughter have?

Wilder’s daughter Naieya was born on March 20, 2005 with spina bifida, as reported by both Premier Boxing Champions and ESPN. Spina bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States, affecting the spinal cord and causing varying degrees of paralysis. Wilder has spoken openly about how Naieya’s condition motivated him to take up boxing. “It scared me,” he told ESPN. At the time of her birth, Wilder quit college and took two jobs to support her, according to The Athletic.

Why this matters: Wilder’s drive comes from a deeply personal place. His boxing career is not just about glory — it’s about providing for his daughter and raising awareness for spina bifida. In 2009, he launched a campaign to “Knock Out Spina Bifida” in partnership with PBC.

How did Deontay Wilder get his start?

Wilder didn’t enter boxing until his early 20s. He originally planned to play football and basketball but abandoned those dreams when Naieya was born. The Athletic reports that he worked two jobs — at a restaurant and a cement plant — before a chance encounter with a boxing gym. His natural power was immediately apparent, and he turned professional in 2008 with an amateur background of only a few dozen fights. Despite the late start, he won the WBC heavyweight title in 2015 after just 33 fights, matching a record set by Mike Tyson for fewest fights before winning a heavyweight belt. For a similar story of an athlete finding their path, see our profile on Chase DeMoor: Record, Football Past & Fame.

The implication: Wilder’s path is unusual. He learned on the job, relying on raw power and a seemingly supernatural quickness in his right hand. That same power has kept him relevant even after four losses.

Timeline: Key moments in Wilder’s career

  • – Daughter Naieya born with spina bifida (PBC)
  • – Wilder quits college, works two jobs, starts boxing (The Athletic)
  • – Turns professional (Wikipedia)
  • – Wins WBC heavyweight title (Wikipedia)
  • – Split draw with Tyson Fury (Wikipedia)
  • – ESPN calls his right hand “boxing’s most destructive weapon” (ESPN)
  • – Loses WBC title to Fury by TKO (Wikipedia)
  • – Loses to Joseph Parker (Wikipedia)
  • – Loses to Zhilei Zhang (Wikipedia)
  • – Defeats Tyrrell Herndon (PBC)
  • – Chisora fight discussed (The Athletic)

What this timeline shows: Wilder’s career has been defined by his power but also by his resilience after defeats.

Clarity check: what we know and what we don’t

Confirmed facts

  • Wilder’s professional record is 45–4–1 (after June 27, 2025)
  • His daughter Naieya has spina bifida
  • He returned from a losing streak with a win over Herndon
  • His right hand is widely considered one of the most powerful punches in boxing history

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth (estimates range $20–$50 million)
  • Precise weight for upcoming fights
  • Whether he will get another title shot
  • Outcome of potential Chisora fight

The confirmed facts solidify Wilder’s legacy, while the uncertainties reflect the volatility of boxing.

Voices on Wilder’s legacy

“It scared me.”

Deontay Wilder to ESPN, on learning his daughter had spina bifida

“He’s in the conversation with Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano.”

Boxing experts quoted by Yahoo Sports

These voices highlight the dual narrative of Wilder’s career: personal tragedy and athletic dominance.

The outlook for the Bronze Bomber

Wilder is no longer the undefeated champion who bulldozed through the heavyweight division. But as his June 2025 win shows, he still has the power to change a fight with one punch. His motivation — his daughter Naieya — remains as strong as ever. For Wilder, the comeback isn’t just about adding wins to his record. It’s about reclaiming a legacy that was built on resilience as much as raw force. If the Chisora fight materializes, it will be a litmus test: can a 40-year-old power puncher still hang with the division’s elite? The answer will shape the final chapter of a career that began with a single right hand and a deeper purpose.

How much money did Deontay Wilder make in his career?

Wilder’s career purse earnings are estimated to exceed $50 million, with his biggest paydays coming from the Tyson Fury trilogy (estimated $30 million+ total). His exact net worth is unclear, with estimates ranging from $20 to $50 million.

What is Deontay Wilder’s net worth?

As of 2025, estimates place Wilder’s net worth between $20 million and $50 million, though no official figure has been confirmed. For comparison, see Jutta Leerdam: Olympic Gold Medalist, Net Worth & Jake Paul for another athlete’s financial profile.

Additional sources

si.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, sports.yahoo.com

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Frequently asked questions

How many children does Deontay Wilder have?

Wilder has at least one daughter, Naieya, born with spina bifida. He has not publicly disclosed additional children.

What is Deontay Wilder’s knockout percentage?

Reportedly around 95.55% — among the highest in heavyweight boxing history, according to Wikipedia (low-confidence estimate).

Has Deontay Wilder ever been knocked down?

Yes, he was knocked down multiple times by Tyson Fury, and also knocked out by Fury and Zhilei Zhang.

What does the nickname ‘Bronze Bomber’ mean?

It references his Olympic bronze medal (2008) and his explosive punching power, similar to the “Brown Bomber” nickname of Joe Louis.

How did Deontay Wilder get into boxing?

He started late, at age 20, after his daughter was born with spina bifida. He needed to earn money and discovered he had a natural talent for punching — as reported by The Athletic.