Deontay Wilder Next Fight Scheduled for February 2017 in Birmingham
Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has set a date for his return to the ring following more than six months of healing from a hand and bicep injury.
Aaron Suttles first reported that the WBC title belt holder has scheduled a February 25th fight with Andrzej Wawrzyk of Poland. The title defense will return to Wilder's home state and take place at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.
It will be the first fight in more than seven months for the Tuscaloosa native since he defeated Chris Arreola in an eighth-round stoppage last July. During the bout, Wilder broke his right hand and tore his right bicep but fought through the injuries to move to 37-0 with 36 career knockouts.
The February fight will be a voluntary title defense against the WBC's 12th-ranked boxer. Wawryzk will bring his 33-1 record to Birmingham and attempt to dethrone Wilder, who has held the heavyweight championship belt since he defeated Bermane Stiverne in March 2014.
Trainer Jay Deas joined The Suttles Approach earlier this month to talk about the recovery process and current training program for Wilder. You can hear that full conversation below.