Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will return to the sport of boxing shortly and is back in the mix.
He had a comeback win by knockout in 2025 and 2026 is a big year for him.
So much so undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has personally said he wants to fight him next.
That looks like it will be the fight.
Huge opportunity for him.
Ahead of it Wilder revealed the biggest puncher he ever actually fought so far was with Johann Duhaupas.
Many might not recall him.
Deontay Wilder Reveals The Surprising Biggest Puncher Ever Faced
Some background:
Johann Duhaupas is a French professional boxer, born on February 5, 1981, in Abbeville, Somme, France.
He is nicknamed “Reptile”, reflecting his resilient, aggressive style and renowned iron chin.
Duhaupas turned professional in 2004 and compiled a career record of 39 wins (26 by knockout) and 7 losses before retiring after his last fight in 2022.
He stands 6’5″ (195 cm) tall with an 82.5-inch (210 cm) reach, fighting in an orthodox stance.
Duhaupas challenged for the WBC heavyweight world title against Deontay Wilder on September 26, 2015, in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
The fight took place at Legacy Arena and aired on NBC in prime time, marking the first heavyweight title bout on the network in 30 years.
Entering the fight, Duhaupas held a record of 32-2 (20 KOs), while Wilder was 34-0 (33 KOs).
Wilder dominated the one-sided bout, landing 326 of 587 punches (56%), while Duhaupas landed 98 of 332 (30%).
Duhaupas showed exceptional durability, absorbing heavy punishment—including severe facial swelling—without being knocked down, but the referee stopped the contest at 0:55 of the 11th round due to unanswered blows.
This marked the first stoppage loss of Duhaupas’s career — Wilder retained his title, improving to 35-0 (34 KOs), and later praised Duhaupas’s toughness as one of the scariest unknowns in the division.
As for Usyk, he has said he will fight on after Deontay Wilder next up.
Date and venue should be confirmed for Usyk vs Wilder shortly.
