Wilder signs January return, eyes Anthony Joshua clash

Deontay Wilder has signed a contract for a return to the ring in January, the former WBC heavyweight champion said during a live stream, setting the stage for a push toward another world title shot after a summer comeback. The 39 year old from Alabama knocked out Tyrrell Anthony Herndon in the seventh round of a non‑title bout at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita in June and now says he has a fight lined up to begin the new year, though he has not disclosed an opponent.

Wilder’s planned return follows back‑to‑back defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang and a period in which he considered retirement. “I do have something coming up. We’re looking in January. I’ve signed the contract already. I can’t give no details at this point, but it’s definitely live. It’s gonna happen,” Wilder said, adding that he expects a “big year” and alluding to another run at a world crown.

His manager, Shelly Finkel, confirmed Wilder is training and aim­ing to fight at the end of this year or early next year, and said the team’s preferred opponent is Anthony Joshua. “Our first choice of opponent always would be Anthony Joshua,” Finkel said, adding that if Joshua is not available they would consider...