Deontay Wilder, Robert Helenius maintain good will toward one another … for now
Promoters and TV executives love trash talk between boxers because it sells fights.
They must be disappointed with the lead-up to the Deontay Wilder-Robert Helenius pay-per-view fight Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The former sparring partners have had nothing but good things to say about each other.
Of course, the good will is destined to end once they step through the ropes. For now, though, nothing but respect.
“We were sparring partners and we respect each other,” said Wilder, who is coming off back-to-back knockout losses to Tyson Fury. “But don’t worry; the beast will come out on Saturday night. It’s going to be fireworks for sure.”
Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) fought with the intensity of a beast in his third fight against Fury a year ago, putting the towering WBC titleholder down twice before being stopped himself in the 11th round of a classic battle.
He would’ve been justified to fight a pushover in his comeback fight but he wanted a meaningful matchup.
Enter his former sparring partner. Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs) is coming off back-to-back knockouts of former contender Adam Kownacki, which resurrected the Finn’s career as an elite heavyweight.
The bout is being billed as a WBC title eliminator.
“We’ve known each other for years,” Wilder said. “The reason I agreed to take this fight is because he’s on a winning streak. He’s been looking great. When they said this would be a title eliminator, I was excited, because if I’m going to be here, why not compete for something worth fighting for?”
He went on: “You can’t look past Robert Helenius. I put in over 700 rounds in training camp and it’s been tremendous ever since pre-camp.”
Meanwhile, Helenius, 38, clings to his dream of becoming the first heavyweight champion from Finland.
And, in light of his sensational victories over Kownacki, he might be a victory over Wilder from finally getting a chance to fight for a major title. He knows from their sparring sessions and following Wilder’s that it won’t be easy, though.
The oddsmakers have made Wilder about a 6½-1 favorite, which is an average of multiple outlets.
“I’ve dedicated all my life to this sport,” Helenius said. “So this means everything to me. I did all my work so that I could bring my best self to this fight. I’m ready. Of course. I respect his power. We’ve worked on our footwork and jabs a lot and we’ve been at it the whole year. …
“I like being the underdog. It gives me more strength and more power in training camp and when we eventually get into the ring. … Sitting here, I don’t know what else to say. I feel like this is my time now.”
