Deontay Wilder is reportedly set to return to the ring in the first quarter of 2025.

The ‘Bronze Bomber’, known for his knockout power, has looked like a shadow of his former self since his trilogy bout with Fury in October 2021 and has lost four out of his last five fights.

Wilder has lost four out of his last five fightsCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom

Wilder was battered from pillar to post in a points loss to Joseph Parker in December 2023 and then got knocked out by Zhilei Zhang in June.

The once fearsome puncher looked timid and gunshy in both of his last outings, leading several members of the boxing fraternity to call for his retirement.

However, according to boxing journalist, Manouk Akopyan, Wilder is gearing up for a return fight in April on American streaming service BLK Prime.

Wilder and his manager Shelley Finkel are expected to meet with the media in Los Angeles on Saturday to announce the opponent.

This comes after Wilder declared he would box on in July.

“The best is yet to come,” he told TMZ. “I had a lot of outside distractions that I had to get rid of.

“I took care of a lot of people and it got to the point where I couldn’t do it anymore.

“I’ve got seven kids of my own, I can’t take care of everybody. Even the closest ones to me, I’ve been betrayed so many times.

“It’s been a domino effect for the last five years. The thing about betrayal is it’s worse than heartbreak.”

One fight that has been floated around is a possible crossover clash with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, which Wilder has welcomed.

Zhang crushed Wilder in round five in his last outingCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom

“Even since I’ve been off there has been a lot of offers from countries and stuff like that,” Wilder added when asked if he would entertain a clash with Ngannou.

“Even with Francis, I hope everything is going good for you man, I’m sorry for your loss (Ngannou’s 15-month-old son, Kobe, died in April).

“I can only imagine what it is like to lose a child, I never hope to even feel that feeling but I hope life is going beautifully for you.

“And yeah, that is a conversation. I’m still looking to get in the mix and talk about it…

“Any fight is competitive when you’ve got a man that has two hands, two feet, a heart, and a will to win.

“That way you’ve got competition and a fight on your hands.

Parker also dealt with Wilder easily in his previous contestCredit: Getty

“That’s why you respect every man you get into the ring with, you never know what dog he brings to the fight.”

Ngannou is one of the best MMA fighters on the planet but was unsuccessful in both of his professional boxing bouts.

Many felt he deserved to get his hand raised in his debut against Tyson Fury in October 2023 but in the end, he came up short via split decision.

He was then matched up with Anthony Joshua in March, though, there would be no such controversy this time around.

AJ pumped the breaks on Ngannou’s fast-moving boxing career by inflicting a devastating second-round knockout on the Cameroonian cage fighter.