Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) is back. After two consecutive defeats from Tyson Fury, the American will face Robert Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs). The Finnish boxer went from being an unlikely prospect to being beaten by the average and being close to a major fight and a championship contender.

The struggle is not easy for either of them. And it can end with the defeat of both the first and the second.

Wilder is back after two losses, Helenius hasn’t lost in three years

Two years after the start of the toughest series of Deontay Wilder’s career. He re-paired with Tyson Fury in February 2022. After their first meeting, it was believed that the British could surpass the Americans. Still, he nearly succeeded in the first fight, but the collapses prevented him.

But in this range, Tyson chose a different tactic. The Briton changed his coach, which changed his approach. For revenge, Fury emerged as an attacker who was about to defeat his opponent, and he did. The British boxer literally crushed his counterpart: he was knocked down in the third and fifth rounds, and then finished in seventh place. In contrast, Wilder just suffered every second and lost hard.

The third duel was only slightly better. Deontay changed coaches, got bigger and talked a lot about Tyson breaking every possible rule. Then he repeated what had happened in the ring. He was dropped again in the third round after being hit. Then he nearly came back and knocked Fury down twice in the fourth round. But in the future he suffered again, fell and eventually lost ahead of schedule.

In contrast, Robert Helenius will stand in the opposite corner in the first fight after his return. The same boxer in general, but not losing for three years. The last time the Finnish athlete lost in 2019 was American Gerald Washington, who, according to some sources, was Usyk’s sparring partner before fighting with Joshua. Then Robert flew in with a hard knockout – in the eighth round Gerald caught him with a right straight, and the fight ended there.

Since then, Helenius has just been hitting people and winning. In the same 2019, Robert returned with an unnamed victory – defeating Mateus Roberto Osorio. And then she met Adam Kownacki twice. In 2020, Robert literally destroyed the then invincible Pole – crushing him in four rounds. In the rematch in 2021, Adam suffered a little more – six rounds. At the same time, Helenius began hitting hard from the first round, and the opponent swayed until the pain subsided.

The Finnish boxer got some fresh air once again and is now actually one step away from the biggest showdown in heavyweight. But Wilder isn’t back to lose again and end his career completely.

Wilder is the bookie’s favorite. But it won’t be easy for either boxer.

Bookies consider Deontay a clear favourite. You can bet on his victory 1.12, on Robert – 5.50. Apparently, such quotes are surprising, given the latest statistics of warriors, but in reality they are not.

Until proven otherwise, Wilder is still a dangerous puncher. Two defeats from Fury hit him, but not an indication. Tyson is troubling for anyone, especially an American. In addition, mistakes were clearly made during the preparation. The main thing was the weight gain that slowed Wilder down even more, and all it gave him was shortness of breath after the second lap.

At the same time, after the final defeat, Helenius defeated an unnamed and potentially considered person twice, but in reality turned out to be too small and too slow for a heavyweight at the same time. Kownacki’s defeat should have come from a bigger opponent. It so happened that it turned out to be Robert.

So, the odds are still more even than the odds suggest, but Deontay is definitely the favourite. More evenly, because it certainly won’t be easy for Wilder. Coming back after defeat, it’s a big responsibility. Helenius is a heavy, fisted man. While the American returns to a maximum weight of 99-100 kg.

In turn, Helenius finds an opponent who hits exactly harder than Washington. Additionally, Wilder can fight and fight in the middle. Fury didn’t work, yes, but Robert Tyson and not close.

Long-range long-arm skirmishes will spread to close-range skirmishes and back again. Accuracy and durability are important here. There were big questions about Wilder’s second component, but it looks like he’s changed his approach and now it’s easier so it can run longer.

All in all, a great fight. A simple giant mahah. Deontay can put a counterpart at any time. Robert – drag and score at the expense of mass. It’s fun and important to both. And most importantly, Usyk claims the winner. Alexander does not want to fight opponents, he wants high-profile fights and hopes Wilder wins, he can meet in the USA and make money if he does not work with Fury. Also, the winner will likely be a contender for the WBC belt, so Alexander can enter the fight against Tyson from this side as well.

The Wilder-Helenius fight will take place in Brooklyn on the night of October 15-16.