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Deontay Wilder hits the scales ready for life with new trainer
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder weighed in yesterday for his fight against Tyrrell Herndon.
Wilder, 43-4-1 (42), weighed in at 225.5lbs, while Herndon, 24-5 (15), was recorded as being a comparatively light 218.2lbs.
The fight is Wilder’s first since his fifth-round loss to Zhilei Zhang in Riyadh just over a year ago. It also marks a test for Wilder, now 39 years old, whose last win came nearly three years ago against Robert Helenius. That win marked his only one in his most-recent five fights. Wilder has been stopped in three of those four losses, along with losing a wide decision to Joseph Parker in 2023.
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Wilder has also confirmed in recent days that he has parted ways with longtime coach, and former opponent, Malik Scott. His new coach, going forwards, will be Don House. Scott, meanwhile, has been training Gilberto Ramirez, who fights this weekend on the undercard of the bout between Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
The former champion has given few reasons for the split, other than a statement to a local newspaper.
He said: “We’re brothers, and always will be brothers. We talk all the time and there’s nothing bad between us. Sometimes things change and this was one of those times.
Scott has also not given a reason for the split.
He said in a statement: “I wanted the best for Deontay. He did things to electrify the sport and sometimes needs to be invigorated. He called me and let me know we were doing things different in the corner for this fight. We thanked each other for all we did for each other. He’s in good hands and I know he’s in good hands.”
Tonight, Herndon in the opposite corner is having his first fight in over a year. Last May, he won a split decision over Rudy Silvas in San Antonio. The marked three wins in a row for Herndon following a loss in two rounds against former Olympian Richard Torrez Jr.
There are also losses on Herndon’s record to Corey Barlow, Brandon Glanton, Efe Ajagba, and Shamarian Snider. Four of Herndon’s five losses have come within the distance. Herndon also has no notable wins, although he has spent a curious amount of time fighting in Colombia – not considered to be a boxing hotspot.
Herndon was surprisingly upbeat at the final press conference. Rather than yell and insult, he spoke about how happy he was to be at the event.
“There is no pressure,” he said. “I’m blessed to be here. I’m taking this all in, even hearing him speak. Just being in the midst of it. When I was working a shift wat a warehouse, not enjoying life at the time, I would run home at weekends to watch Wilder do what he did.”
He added: “There’s no pressure. It’s all beautiful, and I’m blessed to be here and looking forward to it.”
The fight will be held at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas.
Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will be streamed exclusively on DAZN PPV, Saturday, June 28. Buy the PPV now here
