Deontay Wilder sent a message out on Saturday night proving that he is still very much a part of the world heavyweight mix after his devastating knockout of Robert Helenius in his first fight since losing to Tyson Fury in their trilogy bout last October.
In his first ring appearance in over a year, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ wasted no time in dealing with the Finn Helenius, and proving that the heavyweight decision is much better off with than without him. This comes after suggestions he may retire following his knockout loss to Fury last year.
Speaking in a post fight interview, Wilder said:
“We wanted to make this fun again. You can do this for so long until it just becomes a job, just something that you’re doing.
Whether it’s Andy Ruiz or Usyk next, I’m down for whatever.
The excitement in the heavyweight division is back. There’s no heavyweight division without Deontay Wilder, that’s facts.”
The point Wilder raises is an interesting one, as his freakish knockout power is what makes him so unique and his KO of Helenius on Saturday was comparable to the crazy shots that put fighters like Dominic Breazeale and Luiz Ortiz to sleep.
In terms of what’s next for Wilder his short term future is unsure. It’s rumored that the WBC are likely to call a final eliminator between himself and Andy Ruiz Jr for a shot at Tyson Fury’s title, though talks of fights against Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk have been circulating since the start of fight week. Ruiz is coming off an impressive win against Luiz Ortiz, dropping him twice on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
After securing his first win for almost three years one thing however is for sure: that fans have missed Deontay Wilder and the explosive knockout power he possesses.