Deontay Wilder made a successful return to boxing with a first-round knockout over Robert Helenius.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ returned to the ring after a year hiatus following back-to-back defeats to Tyson Fury.
As for Robert Helenius, Helenius was coming off back-to-back wins against Adam Kownacki.
Deontay Wilder Eyes up Oleksandr Usyk after Helenius Victory
From the off, Helenius was quick to assert pressure and try and get his former sparring opponent guessing.
However, when going toe-to-toe with Wilder, it is never going to end well.
With just seconds of the first round remaining, Wilder landed a brutal right hand to knock Helenius out cold.
Helenius appeared to be in sheer shock as he hit the canvas, leaving the referee no choice but to wave the fight off immediately.
After a few minutes, Helenius finally got up thanks to help from his team and ringside doctors.
Speaking after the fight, Wilder said: “When they fight Deontay Wilder, they’re going to come with their A+++ game. I knew that from Robert. So I had to take my time, I had to circle around the ring. I wanted to be a mobile, hostile … tonight. I set him up, allowing him to reach. And when he reached, I attacked.
“It was a great fight. Robert, I love you man. I can’t wait to see. And who’s next?”
Following a brutal knockout, many will be wondering what is next for ‘The Bronze Bomber’.
It is fair to say that Wilder is not short of options as he looks to return in 2023.
The likes of Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz have all been mentioned for a potential showdown.
There were rumours that Usyk would be in attendance for Wilder’s comeback fight against Helenius.
However, it is unsure as to whether or not the Ukrainian was ringside.
“I’ve been hearing rumours about Usyk but he ain’t in the building … or is he?” Wider said. “Most of the time when guys say they want me and they come to a show of mine and see a devastating knockout like that, they turn the corner on me.
“I’m down for whatever, whether it’s Andy Ruiz or whether it’s Usyk or whoever. Let’s bring it on. Deontay Wilder is back. The excitement in the heavyweight division is back. There’s no heavyweight division without Deontay Wilder. That’s a fact.”
Who would you like to see Wilder face next?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
