Deontay Wilder returning to boxing for undisputed title… but defeat in comeback fight would be ‘devastating’
DEONTAY WILDER comes back to boxing motivated by the undisputed title… but has been warned defeat in his return would be devastating.
The former WBC champion faces ex-sparring partner Robert Helenius over the weekend in New York.
Toby Acuna / Premier Boxing ChampionsDeontay Wilder ahead of his boxing return[/caption]
It will be his first fight since a gruelling 11th-round knockout loss to Tyson Fury in their epic trilogy bout 12 months ago.
What followed was a period of radio silence from Wilder, 36, who made around £40m for his trilogy series with Fury, 34, alone.
The American took time away on vacation with his wife and kids, while frequently running and meditating.
But Wilder made the decision to continue his boxing career, with eyes on the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO prizes.
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His manager Shelly Finkel told SunSport: “He believes he can win the four belts and be the unified champion.
“That is a goal that he would like to do. Why does Tom Brady at 45 subject himself to a gruelling football season?
“Or any other athlete even older who believes they can do it or wants to prove something.”
A win for Wilder over ex-sparring partner Helenius, 38, puts him in line for a WBC final eliminator bout against Andy Ruiz Jr, 33.
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Meanwhile, unified champ Oleksandr Usyk, 35, also called out the Bronze Bomber as Fury entered talks with Anthony Joshua, 32.
But the speculative super-fights mean nothing if Wilder cannot get past Finnish veteran Helenius in Brooklyn.
Finkel said: “I don’t even want to think about it, but it would be very devastating, obviously.
“There’s so many things swirling around out there, so it’s not even clear what would be next until he finishes this fight.
“At one point, Fury was going to fight Joshua and Usyk said that he would fight Deontay.
“There’s always the possibility of Joshua, and Ruiz and on and on.
“So rather than get yourself mentally focussed on that, you need to focus on what’s in front of you.”
Instagram @heleniusrobertDeontay Wilder with former sparring partner Robert Helenius[/caption]
