Deontay Wilder is back in the gym ahead of a potential heavyweight comeback later this year.

Wilder has been out of action since losing in an epic trilogy fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury last October in Las Vegas. He has, however, spoken of his plans to make a comeback to the heavyweight division, though, was then quick to play this down, leaving fans non the wiser over his return to the ring.

The ‘Bronze Bomber’ broke his hand during the third and final fight with Fury, an injury which needed surgery, and he hadn't been to the gym since due to the recovery process.

However, several images of him have been posted on social media back in the gym and looking a lot skinnier than before.

Boxing fans commented yesterday on the size of his legs and an image of him topless in the gym during a training session with Michael Hunter, on talkSPORT’s boxing editor Michael Benson’s Twitter feed, has provoked a similar reaction.

One comment expressed concern, stating: “Is Deontay ok? He looks unhealthy, really thin.”

Another less constructive comment was: "Lost all of that weight from the Fury fight."

Another fan tweeted “my boy looking slim” and another was left wondering what kind of weight he's currently at, saying: "Seriously what weight we reckon he is here???"

Others questioned whether his return would actually be at heavyweight, or whether he'd go down in weight class to cruiserweight.

Other fans were more positive, stating that Wilder was still the most exciting fighter out there and he was going to be coming back “the lighter side of 220lbs,” stating that his power would still be there but he would be faster.

Another fan tweeted: “Glad he is back lean, it will help in the long run.”

Etienne Fermie wrote in The Sun that “Wilder looks in incredible shape” and that he was in good spirits after a training session with Badou Jack in Las Vegas.

Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel is of the opinion that the ‘Bronze Bomber’ could be in line to take on the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua bout.

Topless photo has now emerged of Deontay Wilder & he looks a lot thinner than before

Wilder was undefeated prior to his defeats to Fury and was an exciting fighter who captured the imagination of boxing fans. A lot of signs point to a comeback, but the former champion has stated before that money will not be a motivating factor, so it remains to be seen whether he has the desire to put himself on the line again after such a successful career.