Former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder previewed his long-awaited return to the ring during a media workout in Las Vegas on Thursday, as he prepares to take on top-rated Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius. in a WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator on October 15 beating a FOX Sports pay-per-view from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
WILD DEONTAY
On what he expects from Helenius…
“I always want a good matchup. Robert (Helenius) has been on a winning streak and he’s here. I heard he’s supposed to be the go-to for (Oleksandr) Usyk and however he shows up, but I know he’s going to come with his A+++ game. They always do when they fight me.
“With Robert, I think he has become even more confident because he has been training with me for many, many years. So we meet. At this point in camp, we’re trying to do some things that he’s never seen before. And I’m sure he’s trying to do some things that he’s never seen before. And the one thing I like about Robert is that he has a warrior’s heart, just like me.”
On training non-stop for long periods of time…
“We have been 30 or 40 laps without stopping. The only time I get water is during break. I’ve only been doing things like that to challenge myself, doing things that have never been done before, or really aren’t done in boxing. I wanted to see how my body adjusts to the long period of time without rest. When you can go a long time without taking a break, you’re fit.”
On what’s so special about fighting at the Barclays Center…
“It’s not just the beautiful stadium they have there, but they bring so many electrifying fans there… I think Barclays Center has some of the best fans in the place. Every time I’ve been there, I’ve been welcomed with open arms, and I’m going to get the same, or even better, this time. And I’m all smiles. I’ve been ready to go back to Barclays Center for some time now, and I have that opportunity… I’m going back to Brooklyn!”
On the possibility of Usyk being ringside on October 15 and a possible matchup with him in the near future…
“It’s music to my ears. I consider Usyk to be a very honorable person and a man of his word. So I’m looking forward to him. I’m not looking past Robert in any way. It’s good to know that Usyk will be in the arena. Welcome to a great show. And to all the fans, welcome to a great show for anyone watching and attending, but I’m not going to overlook Robert.
“For Usyk to be able to bless me with a title shot when I’ve blessed so many during my reign, it’s a great feeling. So let’s go through October 15th and after that we can see what happens. I have a lot of things lined up, a lot of options in the works for me… But when it comes to a title shot, you have to take it when the opportunity presents itself.”
On a renewed energy and doing things ‘his way’ in the second half of his career…
“It feels good. Even in my first reign, a lot of it went my way. But this here is totally 100% Deontay Wilder’s way. I’m in a different position right now. And it feels great to be in the position where I’m not pressured. I don’t need the business anymore. When I do it, I do it for my own personal reasons. I’m doing it for the people and I’m doing it for some hardware, some titles.”
MALIK SCOTT, Wilder’s trainer
On how training camp has gone in general…
“We’ve put over 500 rounds on the pads and 500 rounds just with intentional shadow boxing. The thing that impressed me most about Deontay, whatever it takes to become a well-rounded fighter, he’s willing to try. He’s willing to put a lot of effort into that, and that’s what we’ve been doing.
“There are so many different dimensions to this guy’s game. I just want the world to see it because I’ve been watching it for the last few years. And what I mean by that is he’s not just a one-punch knockout artist. He can do so many different things in the ring and then set them up for the one-punch knockout. He’s a good body puncher. He has a great left hook. It’s just about him having a lot of discipline, sticking to a game plan, having humility and doing these things with importance.”
On a reinvigorated Deontay Wilder and what motivates him now…
“Deontay is fighting for himself as well as the inspiration he gives to so many people. Deontay is the champion of real people. It’s not about money. It’s not about materialistic things. It’s about him being extremely motivated and inspired by so many people he’s touched around the world and across the country that he’s willing to do it again. And honestly, he hasn’t taken his foot off the gas in practice.”
On Wilder and Helenius having been training partners in the past…
“Yes, Deontay has faced Helenius. I was there and saw how well Deontay did with it, but Helenius is not a good neck. He doesn’t train very well. Anyone could have a good day with him. He is very solid technically and knows how to protect himself, but he is not a good spar. He’s a good fighter when the lights are on, when it’s time to throw a wrench in the apple cart and piss people off, that’s when he comes to life. And this makes him more dangerous in this fight because if someone is going to train as hard as ever and be more vigilant than ever before, it’s when they’re fighting Deontay Wilder. He brings out the best in his opponents.
On a possible confrontation between Wilder and Usyk in the future…
“From a trainer’s point of view, it works perfect for me because Deontay Wilder is a great fighter. Robert Helenius, in my opinion, this is a big and dangerous fight. Deontay is going to pass this test with flying colors. After that, my take on his next opponent is possibly Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua… These are the kind of fights he prepares for.
“I truly believe that Deontay Wilder is the only heavyweight in the world who can beat Oleksandr Usyk, and I have every reason to back him up.”
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