Wilder Recovering From Torn Labrum, Eyes Return To The Ring

Former WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder was recently spotted with his right arm in a sling. Brunch Boxing has learned that Wilder is recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, an injury he had been nursing for about a year. According to a source with firsthand knowledge, the decision to undergo surgery was made after Wilder resolved to continue his boxing career, despite recent setbacks and calls for his retirement.

Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) is coming off back-to-back losses, the most recent being a devastating knockout defeat at the hands of Zhilei Zhang. Since that bout, Wilder has remained largely out of the public eye, leading to speculation about his future in the sport. However, at a recent event in Atlanta, the former champion broke his silence, saying, “No matter how many falls you may take, you gotta get your ass back up and keep going. And that’s what we’re on the journey doing, the best is yet to come.” These words suggest that Wilder is determined to put his recent defeats behind him and is focused on making a successful comeback.

Beyond his struggles in the ring, Wilder has also been dealing with personal turmoil. In May, a Los Angeles County court judge granted a temporary restraining order against him following domestic violence allegations made by his ex-fiancée, Telli Swift. Swift claimed that Wilder had become physically violent with her on multiple occasions. The order, set to expire on June 25, was dismissed after a hearing on that date, though the couple remains separated.

Looking ahead, Wilder is in the final fight of his three-fight pact with Riyadh Season. Turki Alalshikh, the head of Riyadh Season, has mentioned that he is open to a matchup between Wilder and British journeyman Derek Chisora. Chisora (35-13, 23 KOs) is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over fellow British heavyweight Joe Joyce.

Another option on the table is a bout with MMA star Francis Ngannou, who has recently transitioned to boxing. Ngannou is also coming off back-to-back losses, with the most recent being a knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua, a rival of Wilder. While there were rumors of a fight between Wilder and Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, Wilder has denied those claims.

Wilder’s return to the ring is anticipated for late 2024 or early 2025, as he looks to fully recover from the injury and prepare for what is the final act of his career.