DEONTAY Wilder reaffirmed he is grateful for another chance at redemption, as he plans a three-fight schedule in 2025 and teased a "big fight" outside the United States next.

That's if he proves successful in devastating fashion as expected, when ending a year-long layoff on June 27 against American journeyman Tyrrell Herndon (24-5, 15 KOs).

Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) headlines a card tabbed Legacy Reloaded and promoters Global Combat Collective have also since confirmed light-heavyweight contender Deon Nicholson (21-1, 17 KOs) will make his first appearance of 2025 in the evening's chief support bout.

The Alabama native, 39, has lost four of his last five fights and suffered knockout defeats in three - two bruising bouts from the Tyson Fury trilogy and most recently, a fifth-round highlight reel knockout by former interim WBO titleholder Zhilei Zhang last June 1.

That came in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the heavy-handed former titlist made headlines by captaining Eddie Hearn's Matchroom team but couldn't stop them suffering a 10-0 clean sweep defeat by Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions in their inaugural 5vs5 team-themed event.

While the long-reigning former WBC world champion accepts there's plenty of work to do before justifying a seat back at the division's top table, he insists he'll be back better than ever after rehabbing from two shoulder injuries - not just one during his absence as was previously reported.

During a rare interview with 78SPORTSTV, he shared insight into his physical and mental state, while revealing lingering pain has impacted him for five years - dating back to where his losing streak began - where he'd been unable to throw his patented right hand without feeling serious pain.

"I've been on the journey of healing and anybody who knows about a shoulder injury knows, it's one of the longest processes there is on the body... I've had it twice and many people didn't know about it, but that's what to expect of me," he said.

"I had to take a wellness check, something was seriously wrong and I kept trying to talk and encourage myself out of the situation, that it was just a phase but the battle was stronger than I thought, had to face reality but glad I acknowledged what was going on, took immediate actions and was honest with myself."

As far as admirer-turned-adversary Herndon is concerned, Wilder knows the 37-year-old provides him and his team an opportunity to "see where he is", as they've got ambitious plans with potential fights to follow later this year.

This same rebuilding scenario began three years ago, kickstarted after his scary first-round knockout win over former sparring partner Robert Helenius in October 2022, though more inactivity and a tame display when returning 14 months later to box Joseph Parker saw a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua shelved.

"I can't wait to get back out there to see, am I really back like I feel? I told myself many times I'm ready but really wasn't, was motivating and convincing myself everything was good while I didn't understand what the f*** was going on.

I'm injury-free now, there's nothing like throwing this right hand and not feeling any pain... for five years, I would so muscle memory made my mind know that if I lifted my arm, the repercussions would be pain."

He also spoke about his "great" relationship with Turki Alalshikh, saying the pair are always checking on one another and Saudi officials are said to be keeping a keen eye on him - mentally and physically, as well as to potentially do future business again if the stars align once more.

Although interest remains from both sides, Wilder warns not to expect one of his three rebuilding fights this year to be against the two-time unified world champion.

"Not this year for sure but maybe sometimes next year, I gotta get myself back together first and prove to myself that I'm back like I feel."

Alalshikh, owner of The Ring and Riyadh Season head, spoke in January about wanting to make that long overdue Joshua-Wilder matchup and relatively soon, should Tyson Fury's latest retirement announcement prove genuine.