Deontay Wilder will return to the site of several of his most memorable knockouts to start his comeback.
Boxing Scene has learned Wilder is likely to box Robert Helenius on October 15 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in what would be the former WBC heavyweight champion’s first fight in more than a year. Wilder-Helenius is expected to headline a FOX Sports Pay-Per-View show 53 weeks after Wilder suffered an 11th-round knockout loss to Tyson Fury in the thrilling third fight of their trilogy.
A deal for Wilder-Helenius hadn’t been finalized as of Wednesday morning, but barring anything unforeseen Wilder will end his long layoff on the aforementioned date versus Helenius.
Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs), who will turn 37 on October 22, has posted videos recently on Instagram of him training at his gym in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The 6-foot-7 knockout artist has spoken about retirement following his second loss to Fury last October 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but he appears committed to returning to the ring. Wilder has looked leaner in those videos than the fighter who came in at a career-high 238 pounds the day before he fought Fury a third time.
Wilder was knocked down three times during his third fight with Fury, once apiece in the third, 10th and 11th rounds. The hard-hitting Wilder also floored Fury twice during the fourth round, when it appeared “The Bronze Bomber” might regain the WBC belt he lost to Fury by seventh-round technical knockout in their February 2020 rematch at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The 38-year-old Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs) isn’t an elite-level heavyweight, but his power will at least test Wilder’s resolve after a brutal knockout loss to Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs).
The 6-foot-6, 246-pound Helenius has stopped onetime contender Adam Kownacki in back-to-back bouts. He, too, hasn’t fought since last October 9, when Helenius battered Kownacki (20-3, 15 KOs) until their scheduled 12-round rematch was halted in the sixth round on the Fury-Wilder undercard.
Kownacki closed as a 25-1 favorite before their first fight. Helenius withstood his early onslaught, however, before he dropped and stopped Brooklyn’s Kownacki in the fourth round of a March 2020 bout at Barclays Center.
Last edited by Ruthless-RKO on 18 Aug 2022, 06:25, edited 3 times in total.
Could this be setting up Wilder Vs Sanchez? Hopefully we see Sanchez Vs someone worthy, maybe Hunter, Makhmudov or Bakole etc would be ideal but Demirezen or Martin would be more likely.
Could this be setting up Wilder Vs Sanchez? Hopefully we see Sanchez Vs someone worthy, maybe Hunter, Makhmudov or Bakole etc would be ideal but Demirezen or Martin would be more likely.
Yeh, looks like it.
Hopefully Sanchez has a decent opponent on the card.
Former heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder and Robert Helenius are in the process of finalizing a deal for a PBC pay-per-view fight on Oct. 15, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) contemplated retirement following a brutal 11th-round KO loss to Tyson Fury in their bout in October 2021 that was named ESPN's Fight of the Year.
The 36-year-old will finally face a different opponent for the first time since November 2019, following two consecutive inside-the-distance defeats to Fury.
Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs) last fought on the Fury-Wilder undercard when he scored a TKO victory over Adam Kownacki in a second consecutive bout.
The fringe contender, who fights out of Finland, has competed just three times since a KO defeat to Gerald Washington in July 2019.
Wilder, ESPN's No. 3 heavyweight, delivered perhaps his most memorable career performance in defeat. He was given little chance following the second meeting, when "The Gypsy King" brutalized him en route to a seventh-round TKO, but was able to floor Fury twice in Round 4.
The Olympic bronze medalist is perhaps the most imposing puncher in boxing, and with a win, he could find himself in line for a matchup with Andy Ruiz next year if the former champ defeats Luis Ortiz on Sept. 4.
Heavyweight contender Frank Sanchez is slated to compete on the undercard, sources said. BS first reported the Wilder-Helenius news.
gregregegg wrote: ↑11 Aug 2022, 04:34
What does more buys?
Ruiz vs Ortiz or wilder vs Helenious?
Both fun fights, but I imagine they will be after 70 bucks…
If they were both on the same card they would still need another big fight for it to be close to PPV level.
Since Fury has announced his retirement again, what are the odds of this being announced as an eliminator and the winner faces Ortiz/Ruiz winner?
Joyce rated #2 vs Parker #3
Ruiz #5 vs Ortiz #6
Sanchez #4 vs unkown
Wilder #1 vs Helinius #12
If they get a rated opponent for Sanchez this year could be the start of a nice 8 man tournament for the vacant WBC title.
That would draw some interest and could generate some money.
Make Fury champion Emeritus and if he wants to fight the winner of tournament he could
Haymon finally at the end of his rope? I have no idea how PBC is still around, but the fact that they're trying to force these nonsense PPVs makes me wonder if they can't find funding anymore.
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑10 Aug 2022, 09:04
Don't see why a comeback fight against Helenius should be PPV.
Should be on free Fox or just Showtime.
These networks don't want to pay these boxers, instead they expect us fans to folk out their purses.
Fat Andy and Father Time is PPV, for an eliminator, not even a belt.
Eubank Jr and Benn is a domestic fight without even having the domestic belt and that's PPV.
It's beyond a joke. Wilder the 2 time loser, and I would argue 3 time loser wasn't PPV before Fury, and certainly isn't after losing to him however many times.
They are taking the piss.
Could this be setting up Wilder Vs Sanchez? Hopefully we see Sanchez Vs someone worthy, maybe Hunter, Makhmudov or Bakole etc would be ideal but Demirezen or Martin would be more likely.
I don't see it considering Helenius is rated number one by the WBA which means if Wilder wins he would most likely be the mandatory for the Joshua-Usyk winner.
Former WBC Heavyweight World Champion and boxing superstar Deontay "The Bronze Bomber'' Wilder will take on top-rated Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius in an explosive 12-round WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator between ferocious punchers in the main event of a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View Saturday, Oct. 15 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
In the co-feature, former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant faces two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell in a highly anticipated 12-round WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator between 168-pound rivals. Two additional pay-per-view undercard bouts will be announced to round out the action-packed four-fight lineup presented by PBC.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Promotions and TGB Promotions, go on sale Friday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased through seatgeek.com and barclayscenter.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase in-person at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Friday at noon ET.
One of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) is on a mission to become a two-time world heavyweight champion following a first reign that included 10 title defenses, a feat accomplished by only seven heavyweights in boxing history. The “Bronze Bomber” now returns to Barclays Center, a venue where he has fought four times and thrilled the crowd with some of his most spectacular knockouts. The 36-year-old slugger from Tuscaloosa, Alabama earned his moniker by winning bronze at the 2008 Olympics. He rejuvenated the heavyweight division when he captured the WBC belt in January 2015, becoming one of boxing’s biggest stars with an all-time heavyweight best 91.1% knockout percentage and a captivating personality to match. Coming off an epic trilogy with Tyson Fury, Wilder remains must-see television and one of the greatest fighters of this era.
Helenius (30-3, 19 KOs) 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 U.S. debut in 2019. The 38-year-old “Nordic Nightmare” has won six of his last seven bouts.
The 30-year-old Plant (21-1, 12 KOs) used his sublime boxing skills to rise through the ranks of the super middleweight division. In his first world championship fight, the Ashland City, Tennessee-native Plant, who now lives and trains in Las Vegas, took the fight to veteran Jose Uzcategui and won the title in a hard-fought unanimous decision in 2019. Plant dropped the first match of his career in his last fight, losing to Canelo Alvarez in an undisputed super middleweight championship fight on November 6. He will look to rebound and get back on the world title track in a grudge match against his rival, Dirrell.
Dirrell (34-2, 25 KOs) is a two-time super middleweight world champion who won one of the toughest battles of his life when he beat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2008. The 37-year-old from Flint, Michigan won his first world title with a unanimous decision victory over Sakio Bika in 2014. He lost the title the next year via majority decision to Badou Jack. He would have to wait four years for another opportunity but successfully regained it with a technical split-decision over Avni Yildirim. He lost the title again, this time on a ninth-round TKO to David Benavidez in 2019. Dirrell is coming off of a fourth-round KO victory over Marcos Hernandez in his most recent match on November 6.
Former Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder Battles Hard-Hitting Robert Helenius in Explosive Showdown on FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View Saturday, Oct. 15 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Former Super Middleweight Champions Caleb Plant & Anthony Dirrell Face Off in Co-Feature of Premier Boxing Champions Event
Former WBC Heavyweight World Champion and boxing superstar Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder will take on top-rated Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius in an explosive 12-round WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator between ferocious punchers in the main event of a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View Saturday, Oct. 15 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
In the co-feature, former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant faces two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell in a highly anticipated 12-round WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator between 168-pound rivals. Two additional pay-per-view undercard bouts will be announced to round out the action-packed four-fight lineup presented by PBC.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Promotions and TGB Promotions, go on sale Friday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased through seatgeek.com and barclayscenter.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase in-person at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Friday at noon ET.
Pre-sale tickets are available TOMORROW, Thursday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. ET until 10 p.m. ET through seatgeek.com and barclayscenter.com with the code: BOXING
“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. “Caleb Plant vs. Anthony Dirrell is an old-fashioned slugfest that is sure to deliver drama with two highly-skilled fighters squaring off. With two more sensational matchups to be added to the PPV, fans that tune into FOX Sports PBC PPV or attend live at Barclays Center will be treated to an incredible night of boxing.’’
One of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) is on a mission to become a two-time world heavyweight champion following a first reign that included 10 title defenses, a feat accomplished by only seven heavyweights in boxing history. The “Bronze Bomber” now returns to Barclays Center, a venue where he has fought four times and thrilled the crowd with some of his most spectacular knockouts. The 36-year-old slugger from Tuscaloosa, Alabama earned his moniker by winning bronze at the 2008 Olympics. He rejuvenated the heavyweight division when he captured the WBC belt in January 2015, becoming one of boxing’s biggest stars with an all-time heavyweight best 91.1% knockout percentage and a captivating personality to match. Coming off an epic trilogy with Tyson Fury, Wilder remains must-see television and one of the greatest fighters of this era.
“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 (30-3, 19 KOs) 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 U.S. debut in 2019. The 38-year-old “Nordic Nightmare” 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.’’
The 30-year-old Plant (21-1, 12 KOs) used his sublime boxing skills to rise through the ranks of the super middleweight division. In his first world championship fight, the Ashland City, Tennessee-native Plant, who now lives and trains in Las Vegas, took the fight to veteran Jose Uzcategui and won the title in a hard-fought unanimous decision in 2019. Plant dropped the first match of his career in his last fight, losing to Canelo Alvarez in an undisputed super middleweight championship fight on November 6. He will look to rebound and get back on the world title track in a grudge match against his rival, Dirrell.
“I’m looking forward to fighting at Barclays Center for the first time,” said Plant. “I know the fight fans in Brooklyn are going to come out for this card. I’m feeling good and I’ve been in the gym working hard since my last fight. I’m going to put on an excellent performance and retire this guy.”
Dirrell (34-2, 25 KOs) is a two-time super middleweight world champion who won one of the toughest battles of his life when he beat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2008. The 37-year-old from Flint, Michigan won his first world title with a unanimous decision victory over Sakio Bika in 2014. He lost the title the next year via majority decision to Badou Jack. He would have to wait four years for another opportunity but successfully regained it with a technical split-decision over Avni Yildirim. He lost the title again, this time on a ninth-round TKO to David Benavidez in 2019. Dirrell is coming off of a fourth-round KO victory over Marcos Hernandez in his most recent match on November 6.
“I’m real excited to be back in the ring on October 15,” said Dirrell. “I’m especially excited to be fighting at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This is a special place for me. I fought Sakio Bika for a world title at this same venue, so I’m happy to be back. This fight means even more to me because it’s one day after my birthday, which is October 14. So I’m looking forward to giving the fans a great show, getting the big victory on FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View and then celebrating it all after.”
Helinius has sparred Wilder numerous times. Wilder would not take this fight if he thought he would lose. Helinius has also been knocked out by lesser opposition. I can not see Wilder losing this and am really surprised that the voting is at 50-50.
Wilder by ko in 7
tiny_acres wrote: ↑18 Aug 2022, 09:43
Helinius has sparred Wilder numerous times. Wilder would not take this fight if he thought he would lose. Helinius has also been knocked out by lesser opposition. I can not see Wilder losing this and am really surprised that the voting is at 50-50.
Wilder by ko in 7
People love to discount guys who have just lost, regardless of who they lost to, and regardless of the ability of the fighter in question. It’s bizarre and also has no reflection in the odds for this fight. Wilder will win easily and early. Helenius is old and was never that good anyway
tiny_acres wrote: ↑18 Aug 2022, 09:43
Helinius has sparred Wilder numerous times. Wilder would not take this fight if he thought he would lose. Helinius has also been knocked out by lesser opposition. I can not see Wilder losing this and am really surprised that the voting is at 50-50.
Wilder by ko in 7
People love to discount guys who have just lost, regardless of who they lost to, and regardless of the ability of the fighter in question. It’s bizarre and also has no reflection in the odds for this fight. Wilder will win easily and early. Helenius is old and was never that good anyway
• A decent(ish) undercard.
• Even though it’s possible that Wilder might slip on a banana skin, it should be a showcase victory for the American.
• By the time Wilder enters the ring against Helenius, during the previous 5½ years, I don’t think he’s legitimately won a single round on the judges' scorecards without scoring the knockdown.
• By the date of the Helenius bout, Wilder would be on the cusp of celebrating almost three years without a victory.
• Wilder has undergone a dramatic physical transformation since the most recent Fury loss.
It hasn't been announced yet, but this is gonna be for Fury's vacated WBC Title. He will be stripped of it on the 26th. After the Joshua vs Usyk fight. Which is convenient obviously as it allows the WBC to make the belt available to their buddy Al Haymon's guy.
