Via Mark Eisner: Deontay Wilder returns tonight against Robert Helenius in a 12-round match on FOX Sports PPV at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Boxing News 24 will update live and the results below of the action on the Wilder-Helenius card.
Former WBC Heavyweight Champion Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) is on the verge of a bad knockout loss, and there are question marks over how the defeat has affected him. Tonight we will find out.
In copper feature, Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant (21-1, 12 KOs) is coming back from being knocked out in his last match and will be up against the always dangerous guy. Anthony Dirrell (34-2-1, 25 KOs) in a confidence-boosting set.
Plant wants a rematch with Canelo Alvarez, but it’s unclear if he’ll be willing to take the risky fights to get a second hit.
‘Sweethands’ has talked about wanting to take on Jermall Charlo & David Benavidez for a rematch against Canelo, but he has been quiet about going in that direction.
Plant will likely go the backdoor route to try and rematch Canelo by focusing on less risky fighters and staying away from Benavidez and Charlo.
“I have been a champion for a very long time. I’ve been at the top for a very long time. That’s one of those things. You know what to do to be there and be there,” Deontay Wilder told media about his return.
“Some things change, and some things don’t. Given that I’m used to being on top, we know how to put on a great performance and stay there and compete with the best up there, if anything else.
“My flame is still lit, so to speak. I’ve been so successful in this business, especially financially, that I don’t need this anymore. It’s a great feeling to be on the other side.
“98% of boxers have nothing to show for after the fight is over. The only thing they have to prove is that mental illness, Parkinson’s, speech impediments, and lots of other health problems go on while managers & promoters go on to become millionaires, sometimes even more. billionaires and can raise their children and children.
“Boxers, the only thing we got was a pat on the back, ‘Oh, he’s the greatest of his time.’ What is that? I am very fortunate to be in the position that I am holding. I’ve accomplished a lot in my career and most of all, I have a statue.
“There are many achievements that have been made. All my achievements inside the ring are set in stone by a statue. It will be a different opponent,” Wilder said when told that this would be his first opponent in three years that wasn’t Tyson Fury.
“Another time, another place, another day. Like I said, I was at the top for a very long time, more than 40 battles. It’s just another competitor. Robert is just another competitor.
“Some people fight, you have a relationship, and some people fight, you don’t. To him, it’s a long-term partner. We have a relationship. Once we get inside the ring, that’s where it will count. This was the only time when we were in the ring that it was really worth it.
“The only difference is that it’s just a matter of just sharpening the iron, but we’ve winded it a lot. I have great respect for Robert. He has the heart of a warrior.
“I’m looking forward to him trying his hand at my heart. That’s what makes for a great fight and maybe the best man will win.
“You will have to keep watching. A lot of people wonder what I will wear [for the ring walk] and different things like that. It’s all pay-per-view. So you have to buy pay per view to see what’s going on.
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. That’s the saying. I also follow that saying. I am basking in my happiness and peace. So when you’re happy and at peace, all the things you can go through, if you’re happy and at peace, you know how to get through those. You know how to endure it all.
“Look, nothing is easy for me. When you are happy and at peace, nothing bothers you. You just have to move with the punches and move on about life and find certain ways to live life and enjoy it the best you can with your loved ones.
“I think Andy Ruiz did it correctly enough to win [against Luis Ortiz]. It was a great fight. I enjoyed entertaining that fight. When that happens, I’ll tell Andy some secrets that even he doesn’t know. So I blessed him even before he knew he was blessed,” Wilder said.
