‎”I never really retired, they just won’t fight me.” – Former Heavy Weight Champion announces return this year

Former Heavyweight Champion Gears Up for Ring Return as Deontay Wilder Eyes Comeback Fight

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‎The heavyweight division remains one of the most unpredictable landscapes in boxing, dominated by fierce competition and legendary names. At the top of the food chain sits Oleksandr Usyk, who has solidified his reign as the undisputed heavyweight king. The Ukrainian superstar successfully defended his unified WBC, WBA, and WBO titles after defeating Tyson Fury in their highly anticipated rematch on December 21, further cementing his place in boxing history.

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‎As Usyk continues to dictate the division, several fighters have been knocking on the door, eager to shake up the heavyweight scene. Among those determined to reclaim their status is former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Once known as the most feared knockout artist in boxing, Wilder’s career took a downward turn after suffering back-to-back losses to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker. Despite these setbacks, the 38-year-old remains committed to the sport and has now confirmed that he will be making a comeback.

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‎One fighter who has expressed interest in being Wilder’s opponent is none other than Shannon Briggs, a former WBO heavyweight champion. Briggs, a veteran of 68 professional fights, has squared off against some of the biggest names in boxing, including Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, and Vitali Klitschko. The 53-year-old announced in an interview with Fight Hub TV that he is preparing for a return to the ring in 2025 and would welcome a showdown against Wilder.

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‎“I would like to fight him. I think it would be a great fight in Alabama when he comes back,” Briggs stated. “I never really retired, they just won’t fight me. I’m going to fight in March, so if he wants to go, we can go.”

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‎Briggs has not fought professionally since 2016, when he secured a first-round knockout victory over Emilio Zarate. However, the charismatic Brooklyn native has repeatedly hinted at making a comeback and has now taken concrete steps toward re-entering the ring. Alongside Wilder, another name that has been floated as a potential opponent for Briggs is Wladimir Klitschko, the former long-reigning unified heavyweight champion.

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‎With Wilder eager to prove that he still belongs among the heavyweight elite and Briggs looking to defy Father Time, a potential clash between the two would certainly generate excitement. Whether the fight materializes remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—both men are determined to make one final statement in the heavyweight division.