Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay ‘The Bronze Bomber’ Wilder 42-2-1 (41) will return to the ring against Robert ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ Helenius 31-3 (20) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on October 15.
The 36-year-old American from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is coming off back-to-back stoppage losses to recently retired Tyson Fury 32-0-1 (23).
Despite the blemishes on his record, Wilder remains one of the biggest punchers in boxing today. In his first fight with Fury he salvaged a draw with two late knockdowns. In their rematch he was stopped in seven frames, but in their trilogy bout he survived a third round knockdown to deck Fury twice in the fourth before eventually succumbing in the penultimate round.
“It’s been a long journey for me and as of today it continues. I thought so many times about whether I should stay out of the business or come back,’’ said Wilder.
“Once I got my statue in my hometown and saw so many people arrive and celebrate with me and my family, to see all the emotions, grown men crying in front of their children and saying he is a real true king, made me feel like my job is not done. So, here I am once again, looking forward to returning to the ring.
“I am looking forward to coming to Barclays Center, a place where I have had my most devastating knockouts and a place I consider my second home. So where all my Bombzquad people at? It’s time to put on your war gear. And let’s go to work, baby. Bombzquad is back!”
Helenius stamped himself as one of the world’s best heavyweights with consecutive stoppage wins over the previously unbeaten Adam Kownacki, including an October 2021 sixth-round TKO win over Kownacki in Helenius’ last outing. Born in Sweden and fighting out of Mariehamn, Finland, Helenius established himself as one of Europe’s top heavyweights prior to making his US debut in 2019. The 38-year-old has won six of his last seven bouts.
“It’s great to be back at Barclays Center in an even bigger fight than my last one. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and I’m going to be ready,’’ said Helenius. “I’m going to produce an even bigger upset than I did with Kownacki. I’m going for the belt, so this is a fight to prepare me to achieve that goal. I can only become the best heavyweight in the world by beating the best and that’s what I intend to do on October 15.’’
“Deontay Wilder has established himself as must-see, live or on TV, because of his incredible knockout prowess. To have him make his return to boxing against another power puncher in Robert Helenius at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, adds another element of excitement to an outstanding card,’’ said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions.
