Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) returns to the ring on Sunday, almost a year to the day since his trilogy fight with Tyson Fury and ready to silence his doubters.
The 36-year-old now faces former sparring partner Robert Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs) as he looks to get his career back on track, telling reporters earlier in the week he only wants “three years (more)” in the sport.
“I’m ready to fight the best, and I’m willing and able to do whatever I’ve got to do to make it back to the top,” Wilder added.
That starts with taking on Helenius, who Wilder recruited as a sparring partner in the lead-up to his fight with Fury last year.
Watch Wilder v Helenius LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo, Sunday October 16 from 12pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
There may be mutual respect but Wilder said he will not ease up on Helenius as he looks to extend his career and set up a blockbuster fight with either Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua in 2023.
“You got the [Oleksandr] Usyks, [Andy] Ruiz, [Anthony] Joshuas – they’re the top three guys that people want to see, especially Joshua, that’s the number one fight in the world for me, me and him,” Wilder said earlier in the week, per FightHype.com.
“Everywhere I go all I hear is people say me and Joshua, and that’s the number one fight for them as well. With that being said, if that is the number one fight in the world for me then that’s what I want.”
Those are at least the two fighters Wilder is eyeing should he win on Sunday, although a victory could also set up a potential final title elimination against former champion Andy Ruiz.
That could then trigger another meeting with Fury but for now Wilder’s full focus is on Helenius, predicting there will be “fire” on Sunday.
“Although we’re sparring partners and we respect each other highly, understand that the beast will come out,” Wilder said.
Helenius, meanwhile, also declared himself “ready” for Sunday’s challenge and while all the focus may be on his opponent, the 38-year-old is embracing the underdog status.
“I’ve given my life to this sport, so of course this means everything to me,” Helenius said.
“I’ve been doing all the work I can do to give my best self in this fight. I’m ready.
“I don’t know what to tell you guys anymore. I’ve been in so many press conferences. But we’ve been doing a lot of good work. I feel like this is my time now. The fight is going to be really, really good.”
MAIN FIGHT CARD
Deontay Wilder vs Robert Helenius — Heavyweight
Caleb Plant vs Anthony Dirrell — Super middleweight
Frank Sanchez vs Carlos Negron — Heavyweight
Gary Antonio Russell vs Emmanuel Rodriguez — Bantamweight
HOW TO WATCH
You can watch Wilder v Helenius LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo, Sunday October 16 from 12pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
START TIME
The four-fight card will begin at 12pm (AEDT) with Wilder and Helenius expected to make their ring walks at around 3pm, although that is dependant on how long the previous bouts last.
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