Former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder previewed his long-awaited return to the ring during a media workout in Las Vegas Thursday, as he prepares to take on top-rated Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius in a WBC heavyweight title eliminator on October 15 topping a FOX Sports pay-per-view from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
DEONTAY WILDER
On what he expects from Helenius…
“I always want a good matchup. Robert (Helenius) has been on a winning streak and he’s here. I’ve been hearing he’s supposed to be the mandatory for (Oleksandr) Usyk and however that’s laid out, but I know he’s coming with his A+++ game. They always do when they fight me.
“With Robert, I think he’s gotten even more confident because he’s been sparring with me for many, many years. So we kind of know each other. At this point in camp, we’re trying to do some things that he’s never seen before. And I’m sure he’s trying to do some things that I’ve never seen before. And the one thing I like about Robert is that he has a warrior’s heart, just like me.”
On training nonstop for long lengths of time…
“We’ve been doing 30 or 40 rounds nonstop. Only time I get water is during the break. I’ve just been doing things like that to challenge myself, doing things that have never been done before, or that you don’t really do in boxing. I wanted to see how my body adjusts to the long length of time without a break. When you can go a long time without taking a break, you’re in shape.”
On what’s special about fighting at Barclays Center…
“It’s not only just the beautiful arena that they have there, but they pack so many electrifying fans in there… I think Barclays Center has some of the best fans around. Every time I’ve been there, I’ve had an open-armed welcome, and I’m going to receive the same, or even greater, this time around. And I’m all smiles. I’ve been ready to come back to Barclays Center for some time now, and I get that opportunity… I’m coming back Brooklyn!”
On Usyk potentially being ringside on October 15 and a possible showdown against him in the near future…
“It’s music to my ears. I hold Usyk to be a very honorable person and a man of his word. So I’m looking forward to that. I’m not looking past Robert by any means. It’s good to know that Usyk will be in the arena. Welcome to a great show. And to all the fans, welcome to a great show for whoever is watching and attending, but I’m not looking past Robert.
“For Usyk to be able to bless me with a title shot when I’ve blessed so many during my reign, it’s a great feeling. So we’re going to get past October 15, and then after that we can see what happens. I’ve got a lot of things lined up, a lot of options in the works for me… But when it’s dealing with a title shot you’ve got to jump on it when the opportunity presents itself.”
On a renewed energy and doing things ‘his way’ in the second half of his career…
“It feels good. Even in my first reign, a lot of it was my way. But this right here is totally 100% Deontay Wilder’s way. I’m in a different position right now. And it just feels great to be in the position I’m in with no pressure. I don’t need the business anymore. When I do it, I do it for my own personal reasons. I’m doing it for the people and I’m doing it for some hardware, some titles.”
MALIK SCOTT, Wilder’s Trainer
On how training camp has been going overall…
“We’ve put in over 500 rounds on the pads and 500 rounds just with intent shadow boxing. What I’m impressed with the most by Deontay, whatever it takes to make himself a complete fighter, he’s willing to try. He’s willing to put a gallant effort into that, and that’s what we’ve been doing.
“There are so many different dimensions to this guy’s game. I just want the world to see it because I’ve been seeing it for the past few years. And what I mean by that is he’s not just a one-punch knockout artist. He can do so many different things in the ring and then set them up for the one-punch knockout. He’s a good body puncher. He has a great left hook. It’s just about him having tons of discipline, sticking to a gameplan, having humility and doing these things with importance.”
On a reenergized Deontay Wilder and what motivates him now…
“Deontay is fighting for himself, as well as for the inspiration that he gives so many people. Deontay is the real people’s champ. It’s not about money. It’s not about materialistic things. It’s about him being extremely motivated and inspired by so many people that he’s touched across the world and across the nation that he’s willing to do it again. And honestly, he hasn’t taken his foot off the gas in training.”
On Wilder and Helenius having been sparring partners in the past…
“Yes, Deontay has sparred Helenius. I was there, and I saw how well Deontay did with him, but Helenius is not a good spar. He doesn’t spar very well. Anybody could have an Okay day with him. He’s very technically sound and he knows how to protect himself, but he’s not a good spar. He’s a good fighter when the lights are on, when it’s time to throw a monkey wrench into the apple cart and to upset people, this is when he comes alive. And this makes him more dangerous in this fight because if anyone is going to train as hard as they ever trained and be more alert than they’ve ever been is when they’re fighting Deontay Wilder. He brings the best out of his opponents.
On a possible Wilder vs. Usyk showdown in the future…
“Coming from a coaching standpoint, it works perfect for me because Deontay Wilder is big time boxing. Robert Helenius, in my opinion, this is a big, dangerous fight. Deontay is going to pass this test with flying colors. After that, my opinion of his next opponent is that it should be Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua possibly… These are the kind of fights he gets up for.
“I truly believe that Deontay Wilder is the only heavyweight in the world that can beat Oleksandr Usyk, and I have so many reasons to back that up.”
I love wilder because he will fight anybody! All his fights are exciting. And he’ll fight to the death. The Nordic nightmare is no joke! He hits hard as fuck and has some really good combos. This could go either way. I’m gonna go with Wilder by KO within five or six, but I wouldnt be shocked if wilder went down first.
I will admit, Wilder brings some excitement to the ring. Helenius’ head has limited movement so yes, Wilder may even break his hands hitting a stationery target. It’s a matter of who can take the punch. Wilder has the hand speed and better lateral movement. Wilder on a TKO.
Agree Bud, Wilder, even if he loses is exciting. He gives it his all.
Agree w/all above that Wilder makes good fights, win or lose.
Bummmmmmmm squaaaaaad!
Not really-has KO power and seems to be working on improving boxing skills.
Pic look like he got Down Syndrome, Wildercould lose this depends how well Halenius takes his shots….
Lol you’re the one to talk. You need to work on your grammar.
We need this guy in the mix, keeps everyone else uncomfortable and looking over their shoulder. I wanna see Wilder KO Ruiz.
At this point *John* Ruiz might be the safer pick for Wilder.
I’d be surprised if Helenious makes it past six or seven
On 1 hand you have RH, a decent boxer. On the other, Wilder who is Fres Oquendo w/ko power. He can bang, but hes sloppy and he’s been exposed. ( 3 times ) The Awwww factor is gone. This is a C level match up at best. I won’t pay for this. The heavyweight division is starving to for new talent
He should rule the heavyweight division, at least until he fights Fury again…
He’s entertaining for sure, we need him in the mix. Knockout punchers allways have a chance to regain a title someday.
Régis: Always was a Wilder fan. As bad as his boxing ability is, he always brings what is his (limited) best and makes it an exciting fight.
i think those fights with fury and the time off may have helped more then hurt him, it seems his approch is more serious, and look who he just fought, how many fighters could taken that right hand that fury took, 0, any other fighter we wouldn’t be having this talk, wilder ko 2!
Wilder brings it always, even in a loss he is always a punch away from stopping a man. This man is probably the hardest 1 punch k.O artist ever. We need these heavy handed killers in this boxing business.
I still don’t see Wilder as the same after all of the terrible things he said about his former coach. However, as a fighter, I respect him more than any other fighter outside of Fury because he will fight anyone anytime. I would love for him to get a shot at Usyk. It will be interesting to see how he fights him vs how Joshua fought him. Hopefully, Wilder got rid of his extra mass. He should be around 211-220 TOPS. 230 did nothing for him.
Agree HawnJay, the heavier version of Wilder is just a slower Wilder, n more power.
Has anyone, you know, taught Wilder how to actually *box* during all this training?
So sick of this image Wilder tries to project, of him looking like a madman from the ghetto. So tired of that schtick. He still looks like a tall, blown-up light heavy. He’s got the skinny bird legs, no real heavyweight bulk up top, and he’s an arm puncher. Fury exposed him as a lousy boxer and he can’t take much of a punch. I’d like to see him disappear. Good luck to Helenius, who is humble, works hard, and always comes to fight without all the BS hype and nonsense marketing.