Deontay Wilder steps back into the ring after some time away and is expected to blow away Tyrrell Herndon in his comeback fight.
“The Bronze Bomber” took a year-long break from boxing after losing four of his last five fights, including back-to-back losses to Tyson Fury and a surprise defeat to Zhilei Zhang for Wilder.
He faces heavyweight fighter Tyrrell Herndon, who is competing in the biggest fight of his life when he takes on the former world champion at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas, on Friday, June 27th.
Other fights on the card include Deon Nicholson taking on Devonte Williams in a high-profile light heavyweight clash, while Jeff Page Jr and Jurmain McDonald also face off on the main card.
Ahead of Wilder vs Tyrrell, the experts at Bloody Knockout have picked their winners for the three top fights on the card, with some very interesting picks for the winner.
Deontay Wilder vs Tyrrell Herndon prediction
- James Sweetnam: Deontay Wilder via knockout
- Harvey Burton: Deontay Wilder via knockout
- Hamish Woodward: Deontay Wilder via knockout
The Bloody Knockout experts are unanimous in their decision to predict Wilder to knock out Herndon on his return to the boxing ring.
The former world champion has won 43 fights in his career, with 42 of those coming via knockout. While he suffered recent defeats to some top opponents, Herndon is nowhere near their level and should be an easy win.
He will need to be careful about underestimating his opponent, though. Herndon has sought advice from Buster Douglas to find a way to cause a huge upset against Wilder.
Even with the help of the man who KO’d Mike Tyson, Herndon will almost certainly not have enough to trouble Wilder in what should be a quick fight.
Deon Nicholson vs Devonte Williams prediction
- James Sweetnam: Deon Nicholson via knockout
- Harvey Burton: Too close to call
- Hamish Woodward: Deon Nicholson via knockout
Both James and Hamish are backing Deon Nicholson to end Williams by knockout in the semi-main event of the Wilder/Herndon card.
“The Equalizer” from Alabama has an impressive 80% KO rate in his career so far, which includes 17 knockout victories in his 21 fights.
He seems primed to add another to his record, although “The Boogeyman” should be a tough opponent, having only been beaten once in his career.
However, Harvey thinks the fight is too close to call and cannot pick a winner between these two fighters.
Both have impressive records, sharing just one loss apiece, and Nicholson’s superior record could be in danger as he gives up three inches to his taller, potentially dangerous opponent.
Jeff Page Jr vs Jurmain McDonald prediction
- James Sweetnam: Jeff Page Jr via knockout
- Harvey Burton: Too close to call
- Hamish Woodward: Jeff Page Jr via knockout
Once again, the bout is too close to call for Harvey, who cannot pick a winner between Page Jr and McDonald for their Cruiserweight clash on the card.
Both men have the ability to pull a knockout out of nowhere, as McDonald showed in his second-round finish of Evan Holyfield, Evander Holyfield’s son, during a 2022 fight.
However, both James and Hamish think that Page Jr will finish the veteran journeyman, putting
his size, reach, and skill advantage to good use over the grit of McDonald.
Page Jr has a five-inch height advantage over his opponent, which will give him the ability to use his jab to keep his distance and dominate his older opponent, before closing in for the kill before the judges get to decide the winner.