Saturday marked the victorious comeback of former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, who knocked out Finland’s Robert Helenius in the first round after a year-long sabbatical.
Wilder knocked out Helenius in two minutes and 57 seconds with a hard right hand to the face, bringing his record to 43-2 with one tie and 42 knockouts.
“It was a fantastic evening,” remarked Wilder.
Wilder, with his back against the ropes, responded to a combination with a short but strong right to Helenius’s nose. Helenius collapsed to the ground on his back as Wilder strolled away, his night complete after three blows.
“I had to move slowly. I was forcing him to stretch “Wilder claimed. “I desired to be mobile, nimble, and aggressive. I set him up, let him to reach, and then attacked when he did.”
Doctors hurried to the 38-year-old Finnish combatant, who slowly rose to his knees as they attended to him. Helenius, a former sparring partner of Wilder whose record dropped to 31-4, left the ring by his own power.
DEONTAY WILDER KO IN THE FIRST ROUND!!! 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/XEWjlUhHOp
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 16, 2022
Wilder entered the ring for the first time since he was knocked out in the eleventh round by Britain’s Tyson Fury in October of last year. In 2020, Wilder had lost his World Boxing Council title and unbeaten record against Fury.
“We wanted to make this enjoyable again,” stated Wilder. “You can do this so long as it is a job, or at least something you do. We made it fun. It paid out handsomely.”
Wilder’s victory would likely lead to a bout in 2023 against compatriot Andy Ruiz, a former world champion, with the winner vying for the WBC championship.
Wilder did not rule out a fight with Oleksandr Usyk, the unbeaten holder of the heavyweight division’s other major titles.
“Who comes next? I’m game for anything “Wilder said. “Andy Ruiz, Usyk, or anything else. I’m back. In the heavyweight division, enthusiasm has returned.”