RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 23: Deontay Wilder punches Joseph Parker during the WBC … More
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Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was back in the ring for the first time in 2025. Wilder scored a seventh-round TKO victory over Tyrrell Herndon in the main event on Friday night in Wichita, Kansas, at Koch Arena.
I have all of the results from the event. Here’s my breakdown of the top three fights on the card.
Deontay Wilder vs. Tyrrell Herndon Results
- Deontay Wilder def. Tyrrell Herndon – TKO 7
Seventh Round
Wilder gets the stoppage after he landed a big straight right hand. Herndon wanted a way out of the fight and the referee bailed him out.
This wasn’t a great performance from Wilder. He definitely needs another fight or two against manageable opponents before climbing in the ring with tougher competition.
Sixth Round
Herndon went down again in the sixth and this knockdown was as much about exhaustion as it was cumulative punishment. Wilder hurt Herndon multiple times in the round and it wouldn’t shock me to see this stopped between rounds or early in the seventh.
Wilder 10-8 (Wilder 60-42)
Fifth Round
The best round of the fight for Herndon, but still not enough to win the frame. Wilder’s jab is omnipresent, but he seems to be slowing down and Herndon landed a few more notable shots.
Wilder 10-9 (Wilder 50-44)
Fourth Round
Wilder wins the fourth with a similar formula from the first three rounds., but Herndon did land a left hook that got Wilder’s attention.
Wilder 10-9 (Wilder 40-35)
Third Round
Wilder’s jab gives him another round. However, his head movement and overall defense look a bit compromised. Herndon is making him miss, but doesn’t have the skills or confidence to make him pay. Wilder is winning, but not looking especially good.
Wilder 10-9 (Wilder 30-26)
Second Round
Wilder scored a flash knockdown with a check left hook, but Herndon was more off balance than anything. It will count as a knockdown, but Herndon wasn’t hurt.
Wilder 10-8 (Wilder 20-17)
First Round
Wilder looking very measured. He clearly wants to get rounds in after a yearlong layoff. You wonder if he wants a quick turnaround fight. In any case, he kept Herndon on the back foot with a jab and the threat of the right hand.
Wilder 10-9.
We’re underway.
It’s time for the main event. It’s been a confusing stream considering the announcers just said the co-main event was happening. Herndon is walking to the ring, so I guess we can trust it.
- Nico Hernandez def. Robert Ledesma via TKO-2
Second Round
Hernandez wastes no time taking care of business in the second frame. He ran over Ledesma as everyone expected. The hometown hero secured the KO.
First Round
Hernandez is destroying Ledesma. The latter was down once late in the round and he’ll be there again soon.
Hopefully this fight is better than the last one. Hernandez is undefeated and fighting in his hometown. However, his opponent has a 3-14 record, so there’s that.
- Gustavo Trujillo def. Lateef Kayode via TKO-6
Sixth Round
Only thing worse than the fighter’s performance here was the referee’s reluctance to stop the fight. Trujillo finally put his foot on the gas and went for the KO, but the referee refused to stop the fight. Thankfully, the corner stepped in and called an end to the bout. That was brutal for the sport in every sense. I’m glad that travesty is over.
Fifth Round
P.A. in the Koch Arena just played Kendrick Lamar’s Turn the TV Off, and many viewers probably want to follow directions. I’m not exaggerating when I say this, Trujillo-Kayode might be the worst heavyweight fight I’ve seen in years. Trujillo is winning easily, but this is tough to watch.
Fourth Round
Something appears to be off with Kayode’s balance and motor skills. He’s stumbling around in a way that is very odd in professional boxing. This is really strange. By the way, Trujillo is winning every round by a wide margin.
Third Round
Trujillo is hitting Kayode with a barrage in the corner, but he pulled back seemingly reluctant to go for the finish. This fight is terrible in a special kind of way.
Second Round
These two heavyweights are not impressing the crowd. Boos are raining down in the second round.
