Via Adam Baskin: Deontay Wilder weighed in at 214 1/2 lbs on Friday at the weigh-in in his return match against Robert Helenius this Saturday night on FOX Sports pay-per-view. Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs) weighs 253 1/4 lbs and will have a 39.75 lb weight advantage over Wilder.
The weight difference between the two fighters is huge, and it could prove too much for Wilder if Helenius can use his size to his advantage the way Tyson Fury did with ‘Bombers’ copper’. It is in Helenius’ best interest to lean on Wilder as often as possible so that he doesn’t tire his legs.
Deontay 6’7 ″ will enter this bout 23 1.2 pounds lighter than his last fight against ‘Gypsy King’ Fury last October. In that match, Wilder weighed 238 lbs, which was a career high for him.
Before that match, Wilder regularly pressed weights at low distances of 220s or less and displayed a lot of speed and stamina. But at 238, Wilder was exhausted by the third round and much slower & sluggish than he had been in previous games.
For the match against Helenius, Wilder trained on the track, running a lot to cut and build his stamina back to where it was before.
Helenius against Wilder
“I did footwork and a lot of stabbing, so you see a Helenius moving well and quickly,” says Robert Helenius. Against TV Hub. “Sometimes when I come back after a loss, I’m a lot better. It’s not important.
“If you’re in the right mindset, you’ll do well,” Helenius said when asked if Deontay Wilder had been negatively affected by his recent loss to Tyson Fury.
“I have been fighting towards the world championship for 25 years. This was a great opportunity for me to shine, and I did everything in my power to prove myself.
“I think in boxing, letting go is very important. Of course, you also have to be a little tactical. Wilder is a fast, explosive guy, so I have to be fully present, ready at all times and ready for 12 rounds.
“That won’t happen to me. I did a lot of work on that,” Helenius said of avoiding Wilder’s right hand. Helenius said: “I am a good counter-attacker, and I shoot well from the back foot.
