Wilder and Scott Split on Eve of Return: "We're Still Brothers"

Wichita, Kansas - In a surprising but amicable move, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder 43-4-1 (42 KOs) has split with longtime trainer Malik Scott just days before his scheduled 10-round return against Tyrell Anthony Herndon 24-5 (15 KOs) in Wichita. The bout headlines a BLK Prime event and marks Wilder’s first appearance since his stunning loss to Zhilei Zhang.

“Sometimes things change,” Wilder said during media rounds Friday. “We’re brothers and always will be. There’s no beef. We talk all the time, and there’s nothing bad between us.”

Wilder, now 39, is hoping to reset his career following four losses in his last five outings, and it appears a new direction in his corner is part of that strategy.

A Decade of Brotherhood and Battle

Malik Scott, himself a former heavyweight, first entered Wilder’s world as an opponent — famously lasting just 96 seconds against “The Bronze Bomber” in their 2014 bout. Shortly after, he joined Wilder’s team in a support capacity and was eventually promoted to head trainer following the split with longtime coach Mark Breland.

As trainer, Scott cornered Wilder through some of the toughest stretches of his career, including the trilogy with Tyson Fury and the 2022 knockout win over Robert Helenius — his sole victory during Scott’s official tenure.

“I wanted the best for Deontay,” said Scott in a separate statement. “He called me and let me know he was going a different route this time. We thanked each other and kept it real. I know he’s in good hands.”

Wichita Fight Goes Ahead With New Corner Setup

Wilder’s opponent, Tyrell Herndon, may not be a household name, but the Texas-based veteran is a former regional titlist who has been calling for a shot at the big time. With 15 KOs in his 24 wins, Herndon presents a somewhat credible test for a Wilder looking to rebuild.

Wilder confirmed that his current plan is to string together several warm-up fights across 2025 and into 2026 before taking on another marquee name.

Though fan demand for a showdown with Anthony Joshua remains high, Wilder is signaling a more deliberate path forward.

“I’ve been at the top. I know what it takes to get back. That’s what we’re doing — the work, one step at a time,” Wilder said.

Post-Fight Stakes

A convincing win against Herndon could set the tone for the next phase of Wilder’s career. But the abrupt change in his corner just days before the fight has raised eyebrows in boxing circles.

Whether it marks a true turning of the page or simply a temporary shift remains to be seen.

For now, the heavyweight world will be watching Wichita.