Deontay Wilder’s Epic Comeback: January 2026 Fight Officially Signed

Deontay Wilder has confirmed that his next fight—a major comeback bout—is officially signed and scheduled for January 2026, marking a shift from earlier rumors of a late-2025 return.

The former WBC heavyweight champion, who secured a low-key win over Tyrell Herndon in June 2025 following back-to-back losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, described the matchup as a “big” overseas fight to launch a championship run, teasing that he aims to become a “two-time” world titleholder.

No opponent has been announced yet, but Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, indicated the team is eyeing high-profile clashes like Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk immediately following this bout.

Wilder shared the news during a recent interview with streamer N3on, emphasizing that the contract is “definitely live.”