That looks familiar.
Deontay Wilder needed less than an inning to claim his first win since 2019, overtaking Robert Helenius with a right hand in the second final of Saturday’s opening round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. .
Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) lost directly to Tyson Fury, the first fight that cost him the WBC heavyweight title.
Now, after just one more spectacular knockout in a career filled with them, he could be fighting for another world championship in his next match or two.
WILDER IS BACK 💥 #WilderHelenius
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pic.twitter.com/pEDWkU8dVZ– ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) October 16, 2022
The opening round didn’t go well, when truncated, Wilder quickly moved deftly around the ring to increase the size of the massive Finn. “Bronze Bomber” through a few power hits over the first two minutes but none landed, the same of which could be said of Helenius.
What follows is an unexpected, dramatic ending. Helenius was charging forward and in the process throwing his right hand when Wilder hit him with his short right punch to the nose and hit him cold.
There is no reason to count. Helenius lay on his back, staring at the rafters before regaining his composure a few minutes later, as he stomped over the ropes dejectedly and headed for the locker room.
The official time of the match is 2:57.
The win clearly means a lot to Wilder, who hasn’t raised his hand since he stopped Luis Ortiz for seven rounds in November 2019. He became emotional during his post-match interview. before switching to analysis mode.
“When they fight Deontay Wilder, they come to their A+++ game,” said Wilder, who fought Helenius. “I know that from Robert. So I had to take my time, I had to go around the ring. I want to be a mobile, hostile… tonight. I set him up, let him in. And when he came, I attacked.
“It was a great fight. Robert, I love you. I’m eager to see. And who is next? “
Three-belt champion Oleksandr Usyk has expressed interest in fighting Wilder even though he is expected to face Fury for the undisputed title. If not Usyk, then former champion Andy Ruiz Jr has been mentioned as a potential enemy. Anthony Joshua is another possibility
Usyk has indicated he will attend Saturday’s match but it is unclear if he will be there.
“I’ve heard rumors about Usyk but he’s not in the building…or is he?” Wider said. “Most of the time when guys say they want me and them to come to one of my shows and see such a brutal knockout, they push me.
“I’m down for anything, whether it’s Andy Ruiz or whoever it’s Usyk. Bring it here. Deontay Wilder is back. The excitement in the weight class is back. There is no heavyweight without Deontay Wilder. That is a fact “.
