Deontay Wilder capped off his quick rise in heavyweight boxing with a ridiculous one-punch KO to win his first world title.
Deontay Wilder got a late start to his professional boxing career after winning an Olympic bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Games. But despite the delayed beginning to his time in the ring, Wilder made the most of his opportunity once he earned his first world title shot.
After a dominant 25-0 start to his heavyweight boxing career, Wilder earned his first world title fight against Kelvin Price in December 2021. Price and Wilder fought for the then-vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight championship.
While Wilder entered the matchup with immense hype, Price enjoyed a successful career and presented arguably the toughest test on-paper of Wilder’s career at the time. But despite Price’s experience and toughness, Wilder made him look like he didn’t belong in the ring.
Deontay Wilder’s first world title win nearly sent his opponent falling out of the ring
Price had some early moments against Wilder, making the talented up-and-comer bite on his feints and landing a few clean left hands. Wilder looked visibly confused at Price’s early approach, but didn’t need long to find his footing in the ring.
The first two rounds of the fight were back-and-forth between Wilder and Price, with both heavyweights having their encouraging moments. But Round 3 was when the tide turned in a massive way for the upstart Wilder.
Wilder ramped up his activity in the third round, leaving Price on the back foot and struggling to deal with Wilder’s pressure. With Price up against the ropes, Wilder landed a monstrous overhand right that sent Price flying and nearly falling out of the ring.
Watch Wilder secure the knockout win below.
Wilder’s knockout drew the attention of many top heavyweights and cemented his status as a rising star. All of Wilder’s first 32 professional fights ended by knockout, going the distance for the first time in his career against Bermane Stiverne in January 2015.
Wilder went on to defend the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight championship in wins over Nicolai Firtha and Siarhei Liakhovich in 2013 before advancing towards the major titles. He’d win the WBC heavyweight title over Stiverne by unanimous decision.
Deontay Wilder looks to turn back the clock in upcoming boxing return
After a recent skid of losses in four of his last five fights, Wilder will look to get back on track in his boxing career when he returns on June 28th against Tyrrell Anthony Herndon (24-5) in Wichita, Kansas. This will mark Wilder’s first fight since a knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang last summer.
Wilder could potentially be on track to face a top heavyweight like Jarrell Miller if he’s victorious over Herndon later this month. Wilder and Miller have bad blood, going back to numerous examples of them trading barbs in media interviews.
In addition to the Miller fight, Wilder has teased a potential clash with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who is planning on a return to fighting later this year. Ngannou is 0-2 in boxing with losses to Fury and Anthony Joshua.
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