After 13 Years, Deontay Wilder On the Brink of Losing Heavyweight Title Spot

For the first time in more than a decade, Deontay Wilder—the man who once ruled the WBC heavyweight division with unmatched knockout power—is at risk of being locked out of the title picture he once dominated.

The World Boxing Council’s October rankings have dropped Wilder to 13th, a steep tumble from the 10th spot he held after his June stoppage of Tyrrell Herndon. The reason is simple: inactivity.

Wilder’s comeback, originally penciled in for fall 2025, has been delayed. Promoter Shelly Finkel told WBN that Wilder was preparing for a return ahead of a massive 2026 showdown. But Finkel now signals a likely January or February return against an opponent that has yet to be confirmed.

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By that point, Wilder risks falling out of the WBC top 15 entirely—effectively closing the door on a voluntary title shot against reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk, which WBN understands the Ukrainian is considering before retirement.

“I won’t get into speculating on Deontay’s next fight, but Eddie did reach out about the Dave Allen fight,” Finkel told WBN. “After Dave fights on October 11 and Deontay fights, we will see.”

However, with Allen falling short against Makhmudov, that option appears dead. The big Russian himself, though, could now be a target, offering Wilder a path back into the heavyweight conversation.

Current WBC Heavyweight Rankings
1 | Lawrence Okolie | GB | Silver
2 | Daniel Dubois | GB |
3 | Anthony Joshua | GB |
4 | Moses Itauma | GB | COMM *CBP/P
5 | Filip Hrgovic | Croatia |
6 | Efe Ajagba | Nigeria/US |
7 | Martin Bakole | Congo/GB |
8 | Frank Sanchez | Cuba |
9 | Zhilei Zhang | China |
10 | Bakhodir Jalolov | Uzbekistan |
11 | Richard Torrez Jr | US | NABF
12 | Guido Vianello | Italy | *CBP/P
13 | Deontay Wilder | US |
14 | Dereck Chisora | GB |
15 | Jared Anderson | US |

Wilder’s slide underscores just how unforgiving the heavyweight division has become. Fighters like Jalolov, Torres, and Vianello have overtaken him simply by staying active, sharp, and fresh. With Usyk firmly in control and contenders like Joshua, Hrgovic, and Okolie jostling for position, any further delay could see Wilder fighting merely to maintain relevance in the rankings.

Early Knockout Rampage
Wilder first broke into the WBC Top 15 in December 2012, dispatching Kelvin Price via third-round knockout at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Between 2013 and 2014, he tore through the heavyweight division with a series of first-round stoppages, quickly becoming one of boxing’s most feared young heavyweights.

The year 2013 opened with a win over Matthew Greer, quickly followed by a high-profile victory against Audley Harrison in Sheffield, England, dropping the former Olympic gold medalist in round one. Former world champion Siarhei Liakhovich fell in the opening round next, proving Wilder was as unstoppable as he was powerful.

Knockouts over Nicolai Firtha and Malik Scott added to his momentum. Wilder capped this decisive run against Jason Gavern, forcing a fourth-round retirement after multiple knockdowns. In just over a year, six consecutive stoppages cemented his reputation as the WBC’s top challenger—a force the division could not ignore.

Rise, Reign, and Recent Struggles
After defeating Bermane Stiverne in early 2015, Wilder began a five-year reign as WBC champion—the most dominant in years since Vitali Klitschko—defending his belt multiple times with his trademark power.

The 2020 dethronement at the hands of Tyson Fury marked the beginning of a decline, though Wilder remained the number one-ranked contender well past their trilogy. Only losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang pushed him down the ladder. Even after stopping Herndon, Wilder slides again from 10th to 13th. For a man once untouchable, staying active is no longer optional—it’s survival.

Deontay Wilder Heavyweight Title Comeback
The coming months are critical. A delayed return could render Wilder ineligible for a voluntary title shot, forcing him to climb the rankings from scratch. Staying sharp, active, and marketable is now as much about survival as it is about pride. With the likes of Torres, Jalolov, and Vianello ahead of him, the Bronze Bomber faces a race against time.

For Wilder, the fight isn’t just in the ring anymore—it’s against the clock, against inactivity, and against a new generation of heavyweights eager to take his spot.

Deontay Wilder has revealed his plans for a return to the big time in 2026 after making a successful comeback in June.

“The Bronze Bomber” knocked out Tyrell Herndon in the seventh round in Kansas, and is now targeting another shot at a world title next year.

“I do have something coming up,” Wilder told live streamer N3on. “We’re looking in January. I’ve signed the contract already. I can’t [give] no details at this point, but it’s definitely live.

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“It’s gonna happen. I’ve got a big year next year. I’m looking forward to it… All I can say is two-time [world champion]. Let’s go.”

The former WBC heavyweight champion has long been linked with a fight against Anthony Joshua, which at one time would have been for the undisputed heavyweight titles.

Anthony Joshua is also mooted for a return in early 2026, and Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel recently named the Brit as their priority target.

“Our first choice [of opponent] always would be (Anthony) Joshua,” Finkel told Box Nation. “But if we can’t get Joshua — if we could get [Oleksandr] Usyk, we’d fight him.

“I believe [a fight with Joshua] is the biggest fight for him.”

A fight with Joshua aligns with both men’s goals of setting themselves up for one last roll of the dice later in 2026 as they both enter the twilight of their careers.

Wilder does not, however, possess the star power he once did to demand big fights after losing four of his last six fights at the top level, and he has also been linked with a surprising fight against British cult hero, Dave Allen.

Allen revealed that if he beats Arslanbek Makhmudov this weekend, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, is lining him up for a fight against Wilder, potentially paving the way for his own run at a big payday or even a world title.

Deontay Wilder Catches Strays as Canelo-Crawford Undercard in Jeopardy After Heavyweight Pull Out

Jarrell Miller threw a single stone — which seems to have hit two birds at the same time. The Brooklyn-born heavyweight, currently ranked sixth on the WBA roster, went on an unfiltered rant. Clips of him slamming fellow heavyweights Jared Anderson and Deontay Wilder have been steadily gaining attention. According to Miller, while Anderson pulled out of a fight, Wilder is actively avoiding one.

For now, there have been no official statements confirming Jarrell Miller’s claims. The heavyweight, whose career hit a major roadblock due to a doping controversy, gradually clawed his way back into the divisional standings. A knockout loss to Daniel Dubois served as a rude awakening. But a draw against former champion Andy Ruiz Jr. helped him remain in contention. Reports suggested a fight between Miller and Jared Anderson, who has been dealing with his own set of challenges, could feature on next month’s Terence Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez undercard. If Miller’s claims are true, fans may miss out on what could have been an intriguing thriller.

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Jarrell Miller posted two videos. One taking potshots at Jared Anderson, and the other mocking Deontay Wilder. “😱 OMG @jaredanderson419 Pulled out of the fight, @bronzebomber is still softer than baby shit,” read the caption on his post. Speaking from inside his car, Miller appeared relaxed and composed.

“Jared Anderson has pulled out of the fight. We all see it coming though,” Jarrell Miller said. According to him, there appears to be some discontent within Anderson’s promoters, Top Rank. Taunting the young heavyweight for “getting high,” Miller added that a search for Anderson’s replacement is already underway. “Ain’t going to lie, I’m sick right now, but you kind of figured Jared was going to pull that sh*t,” he said.

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But Jarrell Miller wasn’t finished. It appears there was an attempt to line up Deontay Wilder for a fight. However, according to Miller, the former heavyweight champion pulled out. Wilder, for his part, reportedly felt that Miller was too disrespectful and brash. So responding to that, Miller said, “If you had a problem with what I was saying, get in the ring and punch in my face. Get in the ring and try to knock me out.”

However, Jarrell Miller seems certain that Deontay Wilder will not accept a fight with him on the Crawford-Canelo undercard.

Jarrell Miller’s war of words

For now, fans may have to take Miller’s words for what they are — just claims. As Ring Magazine reported, Turki Alalshikh had expressed interest in a super middleweight bout between interim champion Christian Mbilli and Lester Martinez to feature alongside the proposed Miller-Anderson clash on the Crawford-Canelo undercard.

The other day, Miller raised several eyebrows when he claimed to have the key to solving the Usyk puzzle. “I would run him over. Usyk has a problem with guys who put their chin down and want to bang out,” he’s reported to have said recently.

Still, a fight between Jarrell Miller and Jared Anderson, or, for that matter, Deontay Wilder, would have been an exciting addition to the September 13 card at Allegiant Stadium. Given his flair for hyperbole, Miller would likely have helped boost the hype.

More shocking videos leaked of Deontay Wilder’s ex-trainer

Deontay Wilder’s former trainer, Malik Scott, is again at the center of a viral storm after additional explicit videos from his time with ex-girlfriend Nancy Ramirez surfaced online.

The latest clips, which follow a pair of previously leaked videos, have begun circulating across social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). They show Scott engaging in graphic, uncensored adult content with Ramirez.

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The footage is from the couple’s former OnlyFans account, ‘Malik and Nancy,’ which he widely teased during their relationship but never publicly confirmed to be as explicit as it now appears.

World Boxing News previously interviewed the couple at the height of their risqué photo campaign, when they stirred online attention with sensual modeling shots.

Viral Videos from a ‘Walking Masterpiece’
At the time, Scott told WBN, “It’s pretty cool. I get to express myself publicly in a sexy way with her. Nancy is juicy and beautiful with a great intellect. She’s a walking masterpiece.”

Scott added, “It only takes under a second to unfollow us, but if you’re enjoying the show, then go get yourself some popcorn because the best is yet to come.”

With the recent video dumps, that popcorn line has taken on an entirely different meaning as shocking clips circulate for all to see. There’s little Scott can do despite his relationship status going through an upgrade.

Malik Scott’s Personal and Professional Transformation
Scott and Ramirez have split. The former heavyweight contender, who Wilder famously knocked out in under two minutes in 2014, has since moved on and married Kate Abdo, a CBS and ex-Sky Sports presenter.

Meanwhile, Scott’s professional credentials came under fire again as Wilder announced the pair had split before his fight with Tyrrell Herndon.

The ex-heavyweight presided over a rough patch in Wilder’s career, but couldn’t stop the rot. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ ended things as media and fan calls kept getting louder.

Now, with Wilder back in the win column and Scott working with Gilberto Ramirez most recently, the amicable split seems like perfect timing.

Both Wilder and Scott look to be back on track with their separated careers, with OnlyFans no longer an option for the latter if his coaching career doesn’t work out.