Frank Warren has claimed Deontay Wilder will face Robert Helenius in October.
Wilder has been heavily linked with retirement from the sport after losing to Tyson Fury in their epic trilogy battle last October. The 'Bronze Bomber' initially confirmed his intentions to return to the heavyweight division, before promptly backtracking and taking a more reserved attitude to a comeback fight.
Several opponents have been touted to take on Wilder in his comeback clash including Otto Wallin and Andy Ruiz Jr. However boxing promoter Frank Warren appeared to confirm the American's plans when assessing the future of Joe Joyce. “I’d love to do that fight, but he’s [Deontay] coming off a bad knockout," Warren told talkSPORT when asked about Joyce's next opponent.
"There’s no doubt about that was a bad knockout against Tyson Fury who was a tough fight for him. Deontay is fighting in October; he’s coming back, and they’re talking about him fighting Robert Helenius, and that’ll be in the States." Wilder broke his hand during defeat to Fury and was forced to have surgery which threatened to derail his plans to come back to the sport.
However Wilder's manager Shelly Finkel and trainer Malik Scott claimed the American was desperate for immediate redemption shortly after the loss and was already plotting his route back to a world title shot. Any return for Wilder will likely see him thrown straight back into the mix for world glory having retained his ranking as the leading contender with the WBC.
Fury currently holds the belt and has yet to vacate it despite confirming his own plans to retire after defeating Dillian Whyte. Wilder initially confirmed his intentions to return and challenge for the belt by claiming the division was boring without an American world champion.
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However he recently cast fresh doubts on his future by admitting he doesn't have to return to the sport for financial means or legacy. "I'm definitely considering coming back," Wilder told Premier Boxing Champions. "This is something that we're trying to figure out and get things situated. I just felt a re-boost for my career and coming back for the people. I have even had guys in the heavyweight division reach out and say 'champ we need our heavyweight champ back'.
"I hear this all the time from a lot of top people inside and outside of boxing. I never have to return to boxing again in my life, I have set my life up and as I was running my career I dictated how I want things to go. And as I went along I made a series of smart investments and I don't ever have to return again."
His previous rival Fury would like to see him hang up his gloves, but it appears Wilder could have multiple options on the table if he elects to make a comeback. This could include a shot against Fury's rival Anthony Joshua who will meet Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch later this summer.
