[3] Born in Castleford, Yorkshire, Wilders first had success as an amateur, winning the ABA bantamweight title in 1995.
In February 1998 he beat Marcus Duncan to win the vacant BBBofC Central Area bantamweight title.
In March 2000 he faced Kamel Guerfi for the vacant IBO World bantamweight title, winning on points.
[5] He regained his licence and after splitting from promoter Frank Warren after a string of cancelled fights, in January 2003 beat Fabien Guillerme in Nice to win the vacant European bantamweight title.
[5][6] Two months later he defended the title against Frédéric Patrac, the fight ending in a technical draw after an accidental clash of heads left Wilders badly cut.