Deontay Wilder returns on June 27th when he takes on Tyrrell Herndon (24-5) in Kansas.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ will look for his first win since 2022, when Wilder defeated Robert Helenius.
Since his famous trilogy with Tyson Fury was completed in 2021, Wilder has experienced a poor run of form. However, before he met with his greatest rival, the knockout artist seemed unstoppable thanks to his stopping ability.
In 2015, Wilder’s punching power was truly tested against a heavyweight who had never been stopped before.
Deontay Wilder stopped Johann Duhaupas in the 11th round of 2015 title defense
After winning the WBC World Heavyweight title against Bermane Stiverne in January 2015, Wilder returned five months later to earn a first defense against Eric Molina.
In September of the same year, Wilder was paired with French heavyweight Johann Duhaupas, who had never been stopped in 34 fights. The 32-2 fighter would challenge Wilder in Alabama and would prove to be a tough test.
The hearty performance from the Frenchman saw him have brief moments of success in the opening rounds. However, it was ultimately Wilder who was landing the more damaging shots.
As the fight progressed, Wilder’s shots began to accumulate more damage on the face of a slowing Duhaupas. Then, in round 11, the referee would intervene.
At start of the 11th round would the commentators would say, “It’s really pointless for Duhaupas to be in here right now,” as he was having less and less success as the fight progressed.
A one-two combination from Wilder would be the start of a 13-punch combination that ended the bout. Remarkably, despite landing so many punches on his opponent, Wilder was still not able to put Duhaupas down.
The referee then did intervene, calling a stop to the contest.
Wilder successfully defended his world title for the second time in his career, as Duhaupas suffered the first stoppage loss of his career.
Deontay Wilder has won 21 of his fights via first-round knockout
Wilder’s stoppage over Duhaupas in 2015 was the latest knockout of his career as the American tended to get his work done a lot earlier.
With a record of 43-4-1, 42 wins for ‘The Bronze Bomber’ have come by way of knockout. The only time Wilder did not win by stoppage was against Stiverne, however, he would finish him in a rematch two years later.
Of the 42 wins by stoppage, half of them have come in the very first round.
When Wilder returns to the ring in June 2025, he will aim to add a 22nd first-round knockout to his record.