Deontay Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) returns to Tyson Fury after two back-to-back defeats. Just as Wilder was finally brought back, he returned, and the previous one that fell from the Briton was taken as an unsuccessful copy. Robert Helenius (31-4, 20 KOs) couldn’t hold out against the American for three minutes. In the first serious counterattack, Wilder struck and was instantly knocked out.

How did it happen, what will happen next, and is Usyk really like that?

Wilder is back in his previous form and that’s great

The career period that started with Deontay Wilder in 2020-2021 is not, to say the least, the best period in an American’s career. After the first failure of his career – a draw in the first meeting with Fury, Wilder came back with two knockouts, after which he began to lose.

First, Deontay finally fell in the seventh round and wiped the floor with his back several times. Then the same, but finished in eleventh place. The results are bad, the opponent is the main and the principled one – everything went bad.

In addition, Wilder is the oldest of today’s heavyweights. Today he is already 36 years old. Not old, but old enough for a heavyweight. So it was difficult to understand what would happen to him in the ring.

But on the scales, Wilder wasn’t exactly surprised. Rather satisfied. Deontay promised to weigh around 100 pounds and kept his promise. Moreover, he has returned to the weight at which he was at his strongest and dangerous. In the last weigh-in, Wilder showed 97.5 kg. His opponent, Robert Helenius – almost 115 kilograms. The difference is serious and visually obvious.

The Finnish athlete entered the ring as the winner. The difficult period was over. Robert defeated Adam Kownacki twice. Certainly not the big victories, but the important ones – everyone bet on the Pole and lost twice more by knockout to an ex-heavyweight. Yes, even older than Helenius Wilder – 38 years old.

At the same time, Robert finally reached the top of the ratings – fifth on the WBC, and if he wins, he could qualify for big fights and move up even higher in the rankings. Potential opponents included Andy Ruiz and Oleksandr Usyk, but not fate.

The duel must be told as long as it lasts. From the first second, Helenius tried to put pressure. I went to the opponent, but somehow too slow. I tried to throw a few blows – I did not understand and everything flew back for a long time either to the opponent or to the head. A kind of evil version of Tyson Fury, who constantly attacks Wilder and doesn’t let him breathe.

Deontay was in no hurry. He worked as number two, changed and did not let himself be hit. Wilder looked very good on his feet. Of course, far from something, but just right to prevent such an opponent from shooting himself.

After a while Helenius got bored. He goes after the opponent and is completely ineffective. Neither the needle nor the power to obtain it is possible. Robert decided to squeeze the former champion into the ropes. Poper forward with a blow – he did not understand. Bringing his hand back to his head, the one on the right flew towards him. Delicate and tough. Robert immediately turned around, fell on his back, and his eyes focused on one spot. In general, a typical picture for Wilder’s rivals. It all seems like their last look. It’s good that everyone is recovering and recovering.

This was exactly the kind of comeback Wilder needed. The 38-year-old Finnish isn’t in a twelve-round rush with a jerk. Not competitive. Not in strength test. It was necessary to go out and knock down the opponent as quickly as possible. To regain the confidence of fans who have forgotten how strong Deontay is. Regaining the confidence that everything is in its place.

Strength and power are in place. Timing too. Wilder is in excellent condition and this hit is a great confirmation. He did exactly what was expected of him.

What’s next?

Helenius’ options to return to the title race are over. The Finnish boxer is a great person in life, but he did not succeed in the championship. First there was Klitschko. He was injured the moment he left and was supposed to enter the championship showdown, after which he dealt with the German organizers for a long time.

And it’s too late now. Age makes itself felt, Robert never had crazy skills. It was not possible to solve the problem by force – a stronger opponent was found. You can come back more easily against someone and try to finish your career with a win. It’s time to do something else.

Deontay has two options. The first is more ghostly in the form of Oleksandr Usyk. “It’s either a fight against Fury or nothing,” said the Ukrainian boxer first. But then he realized that maybe he didn’t want to leave yet – that’s why he named it Wilder. It makes sense: The American is one of the three tops Usyk can’t beat if he moves slowly. First Usyk defeated twice. It’s time for the second one.

But a duel against the Ukrainian is possible only if Fury ignores the February 2023 negotiations. You can expect everything from Tyson, so you don’t need less money and an interesting option here. Deontay is perhaps even more interesting.

A more realistic option is Andy Ruiz Jr. The Mexican is again actively boxing, and he himself called the American several times. Ruiz boxed with Luis Ortiz – hard and close, but knocked out the veteran. Wilder is back and ready too. Number one and number two on the WBC rankings. The winner will be the mandatory contender for the title.

Deontay protests himself in defense against an opponent who sheds combos. Ruiz will control his head like never before. Interesting and colorful – a very large boxer versus a very small boxer, while the smaller one is significantly heavier.

And then the winner can claim the absolute champion. In any case, we’re getting a few mega fights and it’s great.