DEONTAY WILDER could fight WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury for a FOURTH time if he wins his comeback bout against Robert Helenius.
The American knockout artist, 36, will return to the ring to take on the Finnish boxer in Brooklyn on October 15.
It will be his first fight since Fury KO’d him in the 11th round of their trilogy 12 months earlier.
And WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has now confirmed the clash has been given eliminator status for Fury’s belt.
This does not mean the winner will be in line for a shot, but it moves them into position for a final eliminator.
That could well come against the winner of another eliminator in Andy Ruiz Jr vs Luis Ortiz – with that heavyweight bout set for September 3.
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Sulaiman told Sky Sports News: “We have accepted some elimination bouts that were requested to the WBC.
“One is Wilder-Helenius, the other is Ruiz-Ortiz.
“Those are happening as eliminations, but Fury is the champion, he’s got the time and he will decide and we’ll see what happens.”
Fury fought his most recent mandatory – Dillian Whyte – back in April and knocked him out in the sixth round at Wembley Stadium.
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After the fight, he then confirmed his retirement from the sport but already appears to be changing his mind.
He has told Oleksandr Usyk’s team they have until September 1 to negotiate an undisputed clash following the Ukrainian’s victory over Anthony Joshua on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Wilder is preparing to face schooled heavyweight Helenius – who has a professional record of 31 wins and three losses.
He has been beaten in the past by Johann Duhaupas, Whyte, and Gerald Washington.
But back-to-back wins over Adam Kownacki have put him back in contention for a world title.
Wilder controversially drew with Fury in December 2018 in a clash many felt the Brit won.
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Fury then dropped Wilder twice in their rematch 14 months later as he captured the WBC title.
And the Morecambe-based fighter then defended the belt with a thrilling 11th round KO of Wilder last year.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
