As it turns out, Deontay Wilder’s surgically repaired right hand is fine, as Robert Helenius found out in less than one round Saturday night in Brooklyn.
The former heavyweight champion found himself in the unusual position of fighting his way back into the title picture after back-to-back losses to Tyson Fury over the past two years, and responded by flattening the Swedish-Finnish fighter with a jab counter right in the bottom of the first for his first win since 2019.
Heading into Saturday’s bout, there was lingering concern over Wilder’s surgically repaired right hand, one of boxing’s most dangerous weapons, which he broke somewhere halfway through last year’s loss in front of Fury. After dropping the two-time undefeated champion in the fourth round, Wilder’s right hand seemed to lose its impact in the final frames of that fight.
Deontay Wilder knocked out Finland’s Robert Helenius with a vicious right in the first round
Robert Helenius stood motionless following the thunderous right to Wilder’s face
The former heavyweight champion proved that he is still one of the most dangerous men in the world
In a way, Saturday night was about Wilder (43-2-1) re-establishing his vicious right and, by extension, his status as a titan of the heavyweight division. And Helenius, who was knocked out by a Gerald Washington right in 2019, might have been the perfect candidate to take that hit.
Once again, Helenius was dropped by a right on Saturday, it just looks like Wilder got a full extension on the punch.
‘I rode it. I allowed him to come and when he came I attacked,” Wilder said.
Perhaps the biggest challenge for Wilder may have been justifying Saturday’s $74.99 PPV price in the US, where fans spent nearly as much to see the third fight in his trilogy with Fury just a year earlier. Inflation aside, it’s hard to account for the similar prices, given Fury’s status as one of the world’s most recognized athletes compared to Helenius’ relative anonymity outside of boxing circles and his native Scandinavia.
The Bronze Bomber was silent for most of the first round before unleashing his trademark shot
As always, Wilder entered the ring in style with a dazzling display, only to be topped in the fight
The Finn-Swede showed moments of promise early on, but left himself open to Wilder’s gun
Not that Helenius was chosen to be an easy opponent. He is as tall as the 6-foot-7 Wilder and has a comparable reach, four inches shorter than the former Olympic bronze medalist.
And aside from his impressive frame, Helenius boasted a respectable 31-3 record entering Saturday. He went the distance with Dillian Whyte in 2017, losing a unanimous decision. And aside from his 2019 knockout loss in Washington, Helenius has been dominant ever since.
Most impressively, he has two knockout wins over Poland’s Adam Kownacki (20-3) in 2020 and 2021, the first of which came in Brooklyn, where Helenius faced a large contingent of Polish fans .
“Robert has the heart of a champion and I knew what he was capable of. I didn’t take it lightly at all. I know he really wanted it,” Wilder said. “When you fight Deontay Wilder, you have to have your ‘A plus plus’ game.”
But for all his physical attributes and experience, Helenius wasn’t even a speed bump for Wilder, who remains three years shy of 40, when he said he wanted to retire.
As for his place among the heavyweight elite, Wilder still looks to title holders Fury (WBC) and Usyk (WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO), who may be on the verge of clashing in 2023, according to the president of Top Rank. Todd DuBoef.
Wilder retreats as Helenius crashes to the canvas at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Wilder yelled into the camera as he celebrated his dominant win on Saturday night
The Gypsy King had called Usyk for a fight before the end of the current year, but the Ukrainian would not accept a deal, citing a desire to step away from boxing after beating Anthony Joshua in the august
“I think both fighters want it, the fans want it and it’s the pinnacle moment for the heavyweight champion,” DuBoef told Sky Sports.
If that fight takes place in 2023, it would open up Wilder to face Joshua in what was once considered boxing’s most tempting and lucrative matchup. Otherwise, Wilder’s other options include undefeated Joe Joyce (14-0), a resurgent Andy Ruiz (35-2) following his Sept. 4 win over Luis Ortiz, or perhaps even ascension Jared Anderson (12-0), the colorful. American in search of his first big payday.
— I’ve heard rumors about Usyk, but he’s not here, is he? Wilder asked afterward. “When guys see those knockouts, they turn the corner away from me. I’m ready for anything. Whether it’s Andy Ruiz Jr. or Usyk, I’m ready. Deontay is back and the excitement in the heavyweight division is back.” .
Scroll down for a recap of how all the action unfolded with DailyMail.com’s live blog…