Deontay Wilder fighting for the first time since being Knocked out by Tyson fury 12 months ago, selected rugged Finn Helenius as his comeback opponent.
The former heavyweight champion was in the unusual position of fighting his way back into the title picture following consecutive losses to Tyson Fury over the last two years and responded by flattening the Swedish-Finnish fighter with a right counterpunch near the end of the opening round.
A punch like that one declared Wilder’s intentions to be a force in the division. In case it wasn’t clear by his performance, Wilder emphasized the point after the match.
“Deontay Wilder is back,” he said in his postfight interview. “The excitement in the heavyweight division is back.”
“When they fight Deontay Wilder, they’re going to come with their A+++ game,” said Wilder, who has sparred with Helenius. “I knew that from Robert. So I had to take my time, I had to circle around the ring. I wanted to be a mobile, hostile … tonight. I set him up, allowing him to reach. And when he reached, I attacked.
“I knew what he is capable of, I didn’t take him for granted. I could look in his eyes. He wanted to be [the first Finnish] heavyweight champion.”
Leading up to the bout, Wilder stated he intended to fight until 2025 when he turns 40 years old. With his personal deadline on the horizon, Wilder said he wanted to chase fights against top boxers who will have to reckon with his power.
The person Wilder faces next will try to join Fury and Bermane Stiverne as the only Wilder opponents who won’t succumb to his power.
Wilder, meanwhile, didn’t hesitate to call out Usyk in hopes of getting himself another title shot.
Image credit: CBS sports
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