Robert Helenius has vowed to do “everything in his power” to cause a serious disappointment that could derail Deontay Wilder’s plans to regain the world title.
Wilder returns to boxing after last year’s defeat to Tyson Fury in a knockout for the WBC heavyweight belt, the belt he once held, but he needs to get past Helenius in form in Brooklyn on October 15. .
For Helenius of Finland, it will be the big opportunity of his career. He knows Wilder well, has stood by him in his last two fights with Fury, and is confident that he can stir sadness.
“I’m a different fighter than Fury so he [Wilder] will prepare otherwise,” said Helenius Sports sky.
“He fought well in the last fight against Fury. Of course those were really tough fights but I think he improved every game.
Robert Helenius has come a long way to achieve this opportunity
“I see him as a whole new fighter and I know that people can change between fights. I don’t think so. [coming off a loss] I will be happy on this day, I have a lot of experience. I think it’s going to be a really, really good battle. “
Helenius had to beat Adam Kownacki twice throughout 2020 and 2021 to be able to qualify for this elimination round. “I’ve been waiting for a big game like this for a long time. I’ve been preparing since January,” said the 38-year-old.
“It’s been a tough road. I’ve been boxing for 25 years so I’m a veteran in the sport. I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve had a lot of injuries along the way but in a few moments. The past year has been amazing and a lot of good work has been done.
“People will see that I’m not that old, that I’m still in me for a few years.
“I’ve had good boot camp after good boot camp so I’m still making progress.”
Wilder gave Tyson Fury a terrifying battle in their final encounter
However, if he beat Wilder, it would be the biggest win of his career.
“That’s the next step. I also have to prove myself in this fight to be able to win the world championship. It won’t be easy. That’s why we’ve been working this year. We know we have to do everything.
“I feel like I’m ready for this fight. I’ll do everything in my power. I’ve been waiting for a world championship for a long time.”
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are expected to compete for the WBC championship in the near future. Helenius believes Fury will win there. “Because he’s so much taller and has a clumsy style,” he said.
“It’s a tough fight to judge but I’ll pick him because Fury’s abilities change and do whatever it takes to win the fight. I think he’ll probably punch him. because he is much taller than Usyk.
“The heavyweight division is a really exciting place right now. There’s a lot of good heavyweights.”
Helenius is targeting the top fighters in the tournament
Helenius herself intends to work her way towards the winner of that potential Fury-Usyk fight.
“That’s the goal,” the 38-year-old is mentored by coaches Markus Sundman and Mike Borao, mentoring highly ranked heavyweights including Frank Sanchez and Charles Martin.
“Of course you need to win every game to get to the final so I’m doing everything in my power to get this win.”
Tyson Fury, of course, is anything but predictable. Helenius couldn’t be confident that even beating Wilder and then winning the final elimination would bring him to that fight.
“One day he retired, and one day he yelled at someone, I don’t know,” Helenius said.
“I try not to focus on the future so much. I’m focused on this fight. I have to shoot every bullet in this fight and I’ll be 100% focused on achieving this.”
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