Boxing

Deontay Wilder is taking back America after ending his 4,296-day reign

Published

6 months ago

May 7, 2026

Deontay Wilder smiles during a media appearance with a United States flag behind him

Deontay Wilder has reclaimed his place as the top-rated American heavyweight less than a year after his 4,296-day streak at the top of the pack in the United States finally ended.

Last year, Wilder overtook Richard Torrez Jr. after more than a decade as America’s top heavyweight champion, but one win over Derek Chisora put the “Bronze Bomber” back ahead of the undefeated Olympic silver medalist.

The latest WBC list places Wilder in sixth place and Torrez in ninth place, down three spots. This is a real change for Wilder: Torrez moved forward, but the takeover didn’t last long.

WBN first calculated that the period was 4,296 days when Torrez moved over Wilder, making this latest change a direct reversal of the longest American heavyweight reign in the current rankings picture.

Torrez’s rise looked like a possible changing of the guard in the American heavyweight division. Instead, Wilder took the spot before the 26-year-old could properly take up the role.

The same rankings also confirmed Tyson Fury’s return to the top spot after his victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov, with the WBC heavyweight list now filled with British fighters.

Wilder regains his place in the USA

Wilder’s return to America’s top spot comes just months after Torrez became the first American heavyweight to overtake him in the WBC rankings in twelve years.

The former WBC heavyweight champion maintained that position in the country through title reigns, defeats, inactivity and the latter stages of his career. The loss of this award marked Wilder’s first real break from the American heavyweight scene. Taking him away keeps him alive in a division that has started to grow.

This is not a detail that can be overlooked. Wilder’s name is still bigger than any other American name in his area, and his punching power remains the one thing that every challenger and champion in this division must respect.

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Stalls along the WBC Belt route

The former WBC champion could face Oleksandr Usyk for the world title later this month as the WBC gave the Ukrainian a voluntary window.

Instead, Wilder stuck to his agreement to fight Chisora, a decision that could ultimately cost him the clearest route back to the WBC belt.

Wilder has another path to the WBC title if the heavyweight fight stalls. Bridgeweight champion Kevin Lerena told World Boxing News he will “100 percent” give Wilder a chance to win the 224-pound crown, while maintaining the possibility that Wilder will retire as a two-weight world champion.

This option gives Wilder a second path to a world title, and his return to heavyweight restored his domestic ranking without giving him back control of the world title fight.

The WBC’s decision earlier this year to create an interim championship line around Agit Kabayel puts Wilder in an odd position. He’s once again above all American heavyweights in the WBC rankings, still unsafe enough to matter, and still waiting for the championship picture to open up.

Currently, the cleanest scenario in the heavyweight division may involve Kabayel finally being elevated to full champion after Usyk faces Rico Verhoeven.

WBC list of British heavyweight fighters

As well as Wilder reclaiming the US number one, the latest rankings also highlight how much the WBC heavyweight picture is currently tilting towards the UK.

Fury remains on top despite two defeats to Usyk, and Itauma’s rapid rise to third place continues to fuel expectations that the youthful contender is being aggressively pushed towards a future title fight.

Joshua also remains at the top of the division despite his inactivity, while Okolie remains in second place despite his drug testing controversy.

The concentration of British names in the rankings gives this list a second Wilder comeback story. America has its top heavyweight champion back, but the wider WBC picture is being cluttered by UK fighters.

But for Wilder, the headline is national. The 4,296-day winning streak ended, Torrez took the lead, and the former WBC champion returned to this position.

Whether this becomes a route to the heavyweight title, a bridgeweight gamble or just a rankings win now depends on what the WBC does next with Usyk, Kabayel, Lerena and the belts floating around the Wilder name.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Boxing

Naoya Inoue vs Jesse Bam Rodriguez Targeted Date Announced: We Will Make a Deal | Boxing News

Published

2 hours ago

October 20, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Naoya Inoue vs Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez Targeted Date Announced: "We Will Make a Deal" | Boxing News

An in-demand showdown between Naoya Inoue and Jesse Rodriguez was beginning to look less likely, but there are now reports that a deal will be made for a new targeted date.

Following a career-best triumph over Junto Nakatani, Inoue was immediately mentioned for a clash with another pound-for-pound rival Rodriguez, who has since began his move up to super-bantamweight but has stopped off at bantamweight along the way.

At 118lbs, ‘Bam’ debuted with a knockout win against WBA titleholder Antonio Vargasbut wants one more outing in the division before heading to 122lbs, with a unification against WBO world champion Christian Medina being the most likely option.

In response, Inoue agreed to wait but set a deadline of March 2027 for their meeting, until suggestions of a fight in either April or May then caused Inoue to instead begin preparation for a move up to featherweight last week.

Yet, speaking with Ring MagazineRodriguez’s trainer Robert Garcia maintained confidence that a deal will be struck for Inoue vs Bam to take place in March.

“I think that Inoue is just playing it smart. I don’t think that he is backing out of the fight. We will make a deal for March.”

Rodriguez-Medina has been mentioned as a possible bout for the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua undercard on Friday, December 11, alongside a potential heavyweight match-up involving Deontay Wilder and Jai Opetaia, as well as a proposed appearance from Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao.

Boxing

Today in British Boxing: Uncovering the Latest Crime News and Controversies

Published

4 hours ago

October 20, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Today in British Boxing: Uncovering the Latest Crime News and Controversies"

In her ruling, Judge Charlotte Murphy said: “I am satisfied that the defendant believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself.

”I am further satisfied that a single, measured, controlled punch was proportionate in the circumstances.

“It is very easy to consider the defendant’s response by considering the CCTV in slow motion, however the defendant had a split second to consider his response to the shoulder barge.”

Boxing

David Haye Warns Agit Kabayel Could Pose Serious Challenge to Daniel Dubois

Published

4 hours ago

October 20, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"David Haye Warns Agit Kabayel Could Pose Serious Challenge to Daniel Dubois"

David Haye believes Agit Kabayel’s movement and body punching could punish Daniel Dubois for loading up on his shots. The approach that overwhelmed Fabio Wardley could leave Dubois working much harder against the unbeaten German.

Dubois’s second-round stoppage of Wardley showed how destructive he can be against an opponent whose attacks he can anticipate. Kabayel would offer a different test, making him change direction and create fresh openings rather than repeatedly finding the same target.

Haye praised Dubois’s physical qualities but argued that he could benefit from using smaller punches to set up his power shots.

“He’s an absolute machine. Everything is the perfect size heavyweight. He takes a dig. He’s a massive puncher,” Haye said to talkSPORT Boxing.

“I’d like to see him loosen up a little bit. Everything feels very forceful.”

Haye used Lennox Lewis as an example of a heavyweight who could open opponents up before committing to his biggest punches. Against Kabayel, he believes Dubois would need more than force.

“Against Kabayel, that style of just trying to force it won’t work,” Haye said. “He’s slippery, he turns angles, throws to the body.”

Wardley gave Dubois opportunities to land short, powerful counters. Kabayel’s movement could require Dubois to keep adjusting his feet while protecting his body. Loading up and missing would cost energy, particularly if Kabayel made him turn before he could punch again.

That makes the matchup a test of how Dubois creates opportunities when an opponent refuses to remain in front of him. His power could still change the fight, but reaching for a knockout would give Kabayel more chances to work.

Haye called Kabayel “the sleeper,” highlighting his willingness to face dangerous opponents without the promotional attention enjoyed by bigger names.

“He’s the one everyone’s avoided. He’s the one who’s had all these tough fights against unbeaten fighters when nobody else wanted it,” Haye said.

Haye still didn’t pick Kabayel to win. His argument was that Dubois would face a much tougher technical test. The power would remain a threat, but Kabayel could make him work a lot harder to deliver it.

About the author

Boxing 24/7 Wire

Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.