DEONTAY WILDER made an emphatic comeback to the boxing ring with a huge first-round knockout of Robert Helenius in New York.
Wilder started slowly but as soon as Helenius committed to an attack, a huge right hand came back his way and ended things with 10 seconds of the round left.
Wilder is now on course to fight Andy Ruiz Jr next year.
- Start time: 4am UK
- Live stream/TV: FITE TV
Wilder lets out emotional speech
Deontay Wilder gets emotional and breaks down in tears when discussing boxer Prichard Colon, who suffered brain damage after a defeat in 2015.
Wilder said: “We’ve seen what happens, look at Colon. How he got hit, Richard Collon, correct.
“This man didn’t have no kids… they don’t understand. Y’all don’t f****** understand what we go through, man.
“And I don’t even know him like that, but I will always be an advocate for us.
“Because this man will never know what it’s like to be somebody’s father.
“And that’s one of the most precious things in the world, to be somebody’s father. But he will never be nobody’s father, man.
“Because he got in the ring to support his family but now, his family got to take care of him for the rest of his life.
“He was probably the bread winner in his family and now they’re looking and seeking for help and s*** like that.
“I could say so much about it, man. That’s why you can’t play this, this is serious.
“We don’t know if Robert is going to be the same after this. I just did a job.
“I’m great at what I do but I don’t mean to take people away from the lifestyle they’re living. I’m just trying to support my family as well.”
Wilder’s concern
The heavyweight admits he felt concerned for Helenius, a former sparring partner of his.
He said: “I always have concerns for all fighters. I’m a big advocate for fighters because, like I always say, this is not a sport.
“A sport is something you play. You don’t play this. We risk our lives for your guys’ entertainment and I speak that forever.
“But when you have a relationship with a man, when you love a man, when you build a friendship with another man although he’s a thousand miles away from where I am.
“When you see stuff like that man, you want to come to his aid. I wanted to come to his aid but they wouldn’t let me.
“But my heart goes out to him and I hope he’s OK and goes back to his family because this is a tough business that we’re in.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty Oscar worthy
Boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya left full of praise after Wilder’s stunning KO over Helenius.
He tweeted: “Wow that was the most powerful fastest short right hand ever. Congratulations @BronzeBomber.”
Syk note
Wilder believes it will be hard to get Oleksandr Usyk in the ring with him, despite the Ukrainian calling out the Bronze Bomber.
He said: “I think it’s going to be very difficult. I’ll be very surprised if he sticks to his word.”
Wilder arrives!
Dressed in a sharp red suit, the Bronze Bomber is in the house to address the media.
Let’s see what he has to say…
Credit: Getty Jake Paul’s reaction
The YouTuber-turned boxer – known as a puncher himself – was left speechless after Wilder’s KO over Helenius.
Wilder KO’s Helenius
Wilder is set to address the media in a few moments.
We will bring you updates on what the American has to say after knocking out Helenius.
epa10246567 Deontay Wilder of the United States reacts after his victory over Robert Helenius of Sweden during their 12 rounds WBC World Heavyweight Title Eliminator fight at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn New York, New York, 15 October 2022. EPA/JASON SZENESCredit: EPA Fur real?
The WBC are now expected to order Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr to fight in a final eliminator.
It will determine Tyson Fury’s next mandatory challenger for his WBC heavyweight world title.
Credit: AFP Wilder KO’s Helenius
Robert Helenius was left needing medical assistance after that brutal right hand from Deontay Wilder.
Credit: AFP
Down in instalments
Huge KO by Wilder. Helenius just didn’t see it coming.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Wilder calls out Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz Jr
“Who’s next? I’ve been hearing rumours about Usyk and he isn’t even in the building, or is he?
“You know most the time when guys say they want me and come to a show of mine and see a devastating knockout that they turn the corner on me, I’ve had many.
“I’m down for whatever, whether it’s Andy Ruiz, or Usyk or whoever. Lets bring it on. Deontay Wilder is back. The excitement in the heavyweight division is back.
“There’s no heavyweight division without Deontay Wilder.”
Wilder KO Helenius
Wilder says: “It’s just amazing to be back in Brooklyn. It’s like a second home to me. This is arena is like a second home to me.
“It just feels so good to be back. When I came off the plane and set foot off the ground I just felt a great energy, I felt the love and support and that’s all I needed.
“So when I stepped foot in the arena I felt the same thing and I knew it was going to be a great night and it was for me.”
Wilder speaks
“It’s just amazing to be back in Brooklyn. It’s like a second home to me. This is arena is like a second home to me,” Wilder said.
“It just feels so good to be back. When I came off the plane and set foot off the ground I just felt a great energy, I felt the love and support and that’s all I needed.
“So when I stepped foot in the arena I felt the same thing and I knew it was going to be a great night and it was for me.”
Wilder KO Helenius
Just unbelievable. Helenius dominates most of the round, pushing Wilder back.
And with under 10 seconds to go, Wilder knocks his man out with a big right hand.
Wilder KNOCKS OUT Helenius
WOW!
Wilder vs Helenius
Both men are in the ring!
Wilder vs Helenius is NEXT1
Finally, the main event is upon us.
Deontay Wilder make his return to the ring after a year out of action.
Plant KNOCKS OUT Dirrell
And just like that, it’s all over!
Huge left hook ends Dirrell’s night! What a statement win from Plant in Brooklyn.
Plant vs Dirrell
Crowd now booing both fighters.
It’s been a really tame affair so far, and it’s getting really late/early here in the UK.
5am and no Wilder yet. Brooklyn fans aren’t happy with what they’re seeing.
Plant vs Dirrell
Pretty drab action so far with neither guy willing to commit to anything.
Plant winning these rounds but no intention of pushing anything too serious from either man.
Plant vs Dirrell
Caleb asserting himself in these early rounds, making Dirrell miss when he attempts to land big.
Dirrell does look sharp but Plant just looks that little bit trickier in there.
Caleb Plant returns
Caleb Plant makes his return to the ring for the first time since his loss to Canelo Alvarez last year.
Anthony Dirrell is his opponent.
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 9
Sanchez STOPS Negron.
He puts his man face first into the ropes, Negron gets up but Sanchez finishes it with a flurry.
Emphatic win for Sanchez, and one he’s been crying out for.
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 6
A little more excitement as Sanchez rocks Negron.
Once again, however, he fails to follow it up with anything meaningful.
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 5
More of the same. All very quiet in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Let’s get Deontay Wilder in there.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
