Deontay Wilder makes his long-awaited return to the ring tonight with a heavyweight showdown against Robert Helenius in New York.
Almost a year to the day since his last fight, an epic trilogy encounter with Tyson Fury, the American heavyweight will set about getting his career back on track.
Wilder, now 36, seriously considered retirement during the past 12 months but has signed to face Finland's Helenius at the Barclays Center in his comeback fight.
“I’ve tried to fight nothing but the best,” Wilder told Sky Sports. “I’m picking up where I left off at because I only have three more years left that once that’s over I’m done.
“I have three years or less. That could be nine fights or it could be six fights that I’m going to give and after that I’m done.”
His opponent is Helenius, a regular sparring partner over the years and who last fought on the undercard of Wilder’s third fight with Fury last October when beating Adam Kownacki.
The 38-year-old has three defeats on his record, the second of those coming five years ago against Dillian Whyte when he took the fight on very short notice.
There is certainly no bad blood in the build-up to this bout, with Wilder and Helenius both speaking highly of each other, in what is a significant shift from the Bronze Bomber’s demeanour during the Fury trilogy.
Wilder vs Helenius date, start time, venue and ring walks
Wilder vs Helenius takes place tonight at the Barclays Center in New York City.
The ring walks for the main event should take place at about 4am BST, though that as ever can change depending on the length of fights on the undercard.
Wilder vs Helenius fight card/undercard in full
Caleb Plant makes his return to the ring as chief support, 11 months on from suffering the first defeat of his career as he was beaten by Canelo Alvarez in their undisputed super-middleweight bout.
He goes in as a strong favourite against Anthony Dirrell, in what is an eliminator for the WBC super-middleweight title.
Earlier in the night, Gary Antonio Russell and Emmanuel Rodríguez face each other for a second time, after their first fight ended in a no contest following a first-round clash of heads.
Deontay Wilder vs Robert Helenius
Caleb Plant vs Anthony Dirrell
Gary Antonio Russell vs Emmanuel Rodriguez
Frank Sanchez vs Carlos Negron
Michel Rivera vs Jerry Perez
Vito Mielnicki Jr vs Limberth Ponce
Gurgen Hovhannisyan vs Michael Polite Coffie
Travon Marshall vs Angel Ruiz Astorga
Geovany Bruzon vs James Evans
Michael Angeletti vs Jeremy Adorno
Keeshawn Williams vs Kelvin King
Miguel Roman vs Jose Negrete
How to watch Wilder vs Helenius
Live stream: Boxing fans in the UK can stream the card on FITE TV for $14.99, with coverage getting underway at 2am BST.
In the USA, Fox Sports will broadcast the card at a price of $74.99.
Wilder vs Helenius fight prediction
Just two of Wilder’s 45 professional bouts have gone the distance, so it would be a massive surprise if the judges are required tonight.
As ever with the American, the cards are often largely irrelevant, with Wilder having the concussive power to bring an immediate end to any fight regardless of how much he is being out-boxed.
Helenius has 20 knockouts himself on his record, and with so many rounds sparred with Wilder in the past he will be all too aware of the threat that faces him in the opposite corner. He is unlikely to come out and look to trade in the centre of the ring.
However, as even Fury found, it’s almost impossible to stop Wilder landing for the full 12 rounds, and Helenius is unlikely to be able to respond when it inevitably happens.
Wilder to win by knockout, seventh round.
Wilder vs Helenius weigh-in results
The pair took to the scales on Friday and Wilder weighed-in at 214.5 lbs, more than 23lbs lighter than he was in his last fight against Fury.
Helenius will be much the heavier of the two fighters tonight, after he came in at 253.3lbs.
Will Wilder stay perfect in Brooklyn?
— FITE (@FiteTV) October 14, 2022
Robert Helenius: 252 1/4lbs
Deontay Wilder: 214 1/2lbs#WilderHelenius pic.twitter.com/ST4d8mYh0F
Wilder vs Helenius betting odds
Wilder to win: 1/9
Helenius to win: 5/1
Draw: 25/1
Wilder to win by decision/technical decision: 6/1
Wilder to win by KO, TKO or DQ: 1/4
Helenius to win by decision/technical decision: 12/1
Helenius to win by KO, TKO or DQ: 8/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
