When former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was stopped by Tyson Fury last October, many felt it would be the end of the line for “The Bronze Bomber.”
It was the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist’s second straight stoppage defeat at the hands of Fury and every bit as brutal as the first. Even Wilder, himself, questioned whether this would be the end of the line for his boxing journey.
But now he’s back. The former heavyweight champ, who had 10 defenses of his WBC title under his belt, is back in the ring this Saturday against “The Nordic Nightmare” Robert Helenius in a WBC title eliminator. And the whole rise-to-fall-to-opportunity for redemption dynamic is not lost on the Tuscaloosa, Alabama native– even if his drive to fight had to be jump started by a statue erected in his honor in his hometown.
“It’s been a long journey for me and as of today it continues,” Wilder recently told media. “I thought so many times about whether I should stay out of the business or come back. 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!”
The 6-foot-7 former titlist is well-known in boxing circles as one of the biggest punchers in the game. His 91.1% knockout percentage is the all-time heavyweight best in the power-heavy heavyweight division. His big, explosive right hand, especially, has been regarded as one of the greatest offensive weapons in the present tense boxing scene.
Up until meeting Fury, that fight-stopping power was enough to get him to the very top. Despite a late start in the sport and some clear rounding out of rough edges throughout the early stages of his professional career, there was no denying Wilder’s placement among the elite of the heavyweight division. The man walked like a king and fought with the confidence of a king.
But what about now? After back-to-back humbling and bloody defeats, could there be some irreparable mental and/or physical damage left behind, even at a subconscious level? History tells us that offensive beasts humbled in battle are rarely the same afterwards. In boxing, just a half-second of a doubt or an instance of physical slowdown can lead to a crushing defeat.
And Wilder’s opponent, Helenius, coming off back-to-back high-water mark victories over Polish contender Adam Kownacki, is more than capable of taking advantage of any opening.
Expect a slugfest this Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, atop a FOX Sports PBC pay-per-view event. The 36-year-old Wilder and 38-year-old Helenius will, literally, be fighting for their boxing lives in a bout that will bring the winner to a world title shot. The loser will have to go back to the end of the line and reassess whether there’s time for one more run at world title glory.
Wilder seems not to care about all of that. He wants back in and wants to take that first step towards reclaiming his throne.
“October 15 is the return of the king,” said Wilder. “I’m looking forward to returning to my second home. My second reign is going to be filled with joy and excitement for me and those who support me. I’m looking to put on great fights like I always have.”
