Deontay Wilder makes powerful return with quick KO of Robert Helenius
Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder marked his much-anticipated return to the ring with a thunderous knockout punch that stopped Robert Helenius in the opening round of their bout at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday night.
Wilder was making his return to in-ring action for the first time since he lost to Tyson Fury last October. It was Wilder's 42nd knockout in 43 career victories.
Fury was able to deal with Wilder's power -- and he's been the only one so far who has -- getting up from four total knockdowns in their three fights. But Helenius wasn't in that class.
He used his roughly 40-pound edge to move Wilder back for much of the round, and had him back in the corner when Wilder unleashed the right that ended the Finnish fighter's hopes of moving closer to a title shot.
Instead, Wilder could quickly get another one after showing again why his power makes him one of the can't-miss attractions in the sport.
He held a portion of the heavyweight title for five years and could seek a chance against Oleksandr Usyk, who owns the three belts besides the one Fury took from Wilder. Other names that will be mentioned include former champions Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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