Deontay Wilder to have two comeback fights before eying double header with Anthony Joshua in London and Las Vegas
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DEONTAY WILDER is set for two confidence-building comeback fights - before eyeing a double header with Anthony Joshua.
The former WBC champion returns on Saturday in Kansas against little-known Tyrrell Herndon looking to bounce back after two losses.
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Deontay Wilder returns in Kansas
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Anthony Joshua is still linked
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Nelson Lopez Jr - a former matchmaker for the likes of Oscar de la Hoya and PBC - is promoting Wilder's low-profile return.
A three-fight deal is in place between the pair - with Wilder's second comeback fight already pencilled in - before they target a showdown with AJ.
Lopez told SunSport: "Yeah listen, we got a tentative deal and we're just going one by one.
"We have the next one set up, this one set up, nothing solid for the third one - you know how boxing is, there's no path of how you succeed.
"We have to get over this, so anything can happen. We got to get over the next one. Anything can happen.
"And then, you know maybe Eddie will sit at the table and see what we can do something with AJ."
Wilder was stunned on points against Joseph Parker in December 2024 before he was knocked out in June 2024 by Zhilei Zhang.
Both times he blew the chance to fight 35-year-old Joshua - who was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September and has since had elbow surgery.
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Promoter Nelson has opened the door to a two-fight with with AJ - in Las Vegas and London - with the possibility of a trilogy.
He said: "Maybe we go ahead and lock in a trilogy. You know what I mean, why not?
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"For both fighters maybe we lock in something we can do guaranteed two fights and if one wins and one wins, we do the third.
"I would do it that way. I don't think the fans would be mad at that.
"I think either way it would have be amazing fight for both of them and whoever wins the first two then you're crowned the man."
Wilder, 39, went through a period of radio silence after his fifth-round stoppage loss to Zhang in Riyadh.
He cited personal issues for his absence from the spotlight - and also had secret arm surgery with plans to return to the big time.
Lopez said: "Yeah, he's definitely up for these fights.
"Our in Kansas slated "Legacy Reloaded" so the first two fights are just leading towards that."
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