Former WBC Heavyweight World Champion and boxing superstar Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and top-rated Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius previewed their WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator showdown during a virtual press conference Tuesday before they step into the ring on Saturday, October 15 topping a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through seatgeek.com and barclayscenter.com. Tickets are also available for purchase in-person at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
One of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, Wilder will look to make the first step towards becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion with a victory on October 15, as he returns to headline at Barclays Center for the fifth time, an arena where he has delivered some of his most devastating knockouts. He will face a stiff challenge from the veteran Helenius, who comes in off a pair of knockout victories over Brooklyn fan-favorite Adam Kownacki, including a triumph at Barclays Center in their first fight in March 2020.
Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:
DEONTAY WILDER
“This is an exciting time. It’s special for the heavyweight division. I’m really looking forward to October 15 at Barclays Center. This is going to be an amazing fight. Even though we know each other well, make no mistake, when it’s time to turn it on, the fans are going to leave with another memorable moment.
“October 15 is the return of the king. I’m looking forward to returning to my second home. My second reign is going to be filled with joy and excitement for me and those who support me. I’m looking to put on great fights like I always have.
“Changing the way we train has definitely opened up my mind leading into this fight. Training the same way all the time can get boring. This camp has been more fun and more exciting. I made it my business to do pre-camp away from home, before coming back to Alabama for sparring. It’s definitely refreshed me in this business of boxing.
“Barclays Center holds something special in my heart. It’s a second home to me. My most electrifying knockouts and exciting memories have been there. It feels good to be able to go back and add more memories.
“Sparring someone and fighting when it actually counts are two different things. Sparring is more of a practice. If Robert feels that he’s going to be able to match my showmanship, then I have to take his word for it. It will bring more excitement to the fight.
“I’ve never faced Helenius when it counts, so who knows what he’s going to bring. Everyone knows that fighters train harder than ever before when they face me. Hopefully we’ll be able to bring that excitement on October 15.
“I don’t feel any pressure. I’m soaking in my happiness and peace. This reign is about being happy. I don’t have anything to prove to anyone. I’ve done an amazing job in my career, so now I want to do the things that make me happy. Whatever we gain, that’s a plus.
“Seeing the statue made for me in Alabama is what brought me back. My accomplishments are set in stone. But being there and seeing the people supporting me made me feel like there’s more that I can do. I’m still young. I’ve got three more years left in this business. There’s still a lot more left for me to do.
“Me and (head trainer) Malik Scott clicked instantly when we met helping Tomasz Adamek prepare for a fight years ago. To be able to make him one of my head coaches was a no-brainer. It means so much to have people who you trust and who you know has your back. What’s understood doesn’t need to be explained.
“I can only speak on what I’ve been doing in training and in sparring. I would say I look amazing. I haven’t lost any steps. If anything I’ve improved, gone back to the fundamentals and added new aspects to my skillset. It’s really about applying some things that I used to not work on as much.
“My weight is not going to be what we worry about in this fight or fights in the future. We gained a lot of weight the last fight, but it was more about the expectations of seeing my body a certain way. Now I’m going back to what I’m used to and what’s comfortable for me.”
ROBERT HELENIUS
“I’m finally back in Brooklyn and it feels really good. I’ve had a great training camp and I’m ready for this fight. I’m doing everything in my power to be my best self on fight night.
“I’m very blessed to be in this position. I’ve been in this game for a long time. I was knocking guys out in 2011 before I had a severe injury that kept me out for a long time. Now is the first time that I really feel like I’m back.
“It took me a while to get back to normal training after the operation on my shoulder. I still have several more good years to give, so why not give it all?
“There’s a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for my fans back home, so I know that I have to bring it on October 15.
“I’ve had a long career and I know how I feel before fights. I feel more comfortable and more confident heading into this fight than I’ve felt in a long time. Beating Kownacki was key to me and I know that without those victories, I would not be here.
“Deontay and I know each other very well. When we sparred he was preparing for a tall guy like me, while I was training for a very different kind of fighter. But some things do still get stuck with you during training. However the fight is much different than sparring.
“It’s tough to say if I felt Deontay’s power in sparring because of the headgear and bigger gloves. I think it’s more about his speed. Some people punch with a lot of force, but I think his best attribute is the explosiveness.
“I like being the underdog. It wakes me up a little bit. I know that I have to concentrate fully and be the best version of myself. Of course there’s still some pressure, but that’s what comes with being in such an important fight.
“We’ve been training for this fight for a very long time, so we’ve made some tactical changes over that time. I obviously can’t reveal it but we’re going to be ready for Deontay.
“Deontay is fast and unpredictable with his right hand. That’s his best skill. He disguises that right hand and when it’s coming.”
