Deontay Wilder signs for comeback fight against Curtis Harper

Deontay Wilder vs Curtis Harper scheduled for April 2025

Deontay Wilder (43-4-1, 42KO) is set to return to the ring in April against Curtis Harper (18-11, 12KO).

Now 39, Wilder was expected to retire after suffering from a fourth loss in his last five fights. The Bronze Bomber lost back to back bouts with British rival Tyson Fury, both by knockout, followed by a points defeat to Joseph Parker, culminating in a fifth-round KO by Zhilei Zhang in June 2024.

However, Wilder has now signed to fight 36-year-old Curtis Harper, targeted for April 26 in Atlanta, streamed live on BLK Prime.

Wilder's manager Shelly Finkel said his heavyweight has recovered from shoulder surgery and is confident to continue his career, where there are still huge fights waiting for him, with Anthony Joshua and Tyson fury both coming off losses.

But first he has to get back to winning ways against Harper, who has stopped his last four foes, but who is he?

Who is Curtis Harper?

Curtis Harper was born June 25, 1988, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Harper lost his pro debut in February 2010 against fellow debutant, Yasmany Consuegra, who knocked him out in just 100 seconds.

Curtis won his next four fights by knockout and went on a seven-fight win streak until back to back defeats to unbeaten Gerald Washington and Donovan Davis in 2013.

In May 2017, he was knocked out in the first round by 15-0 Zhilei Zhang.

During August 2018, Harper was famously disqualified for walking out of the ring immediately after the bell rung for his fight with Efe Ajagba in Minneapolis. He was due to be paid $6k for the six-round bout, but exited the ring in a show of protest over not receiving a contract and not being informed the fight would be televised. Full story on ESPN

In 2024, he fought four times in Texas winning three in the first round and his last fight in the second.

He is trained by Nate Campbell.

His nickname is "The Hurt".

He is 6' 2" tall with a reach of 78½".

Curtis has has 30 bouts, 120 rounds, and has a 66.67% KO ratio.

He is managed by Jimmy Adams, who also looks after unbeaten heavyweight Fernando Cuza Taquechel and super-middleweight Maidel Sando.

Curtis is married to Sandra Rosenberg.

Things you didn't know about Deontay Wilder