Deontay Wilder has revealed his decision to lose weight, stave off retirement and commit his future to trainer Malik Scott.
The Bronze Bomber is ready to battle Robert Helenius on October 15 in a WBC heavyweight title eliminator bout this weekend.
Wilder, on the back of two losses to Tyson Fury, must beat the big Finn to have another chance at being a champion.
The Tuscaloosa fighter, who has 41 knockouts from 42 wins, needs to have his hands raised for a first victory since smashing Luis Ortiz in November 2019.
After sparring with Helenius for the third installment with Fury that got voted Fight of the Year for 2021, Wilder knows the contender well but remains wary of a real contest situation.
Ive never faced Helenius when it counts, so who knows what hes going to bring, said Wilder.
Everyone knows that fighters train harder than ever when they face me. Hopefully, well be able to bring that excitement on October 15.
Asked what his partnership with ex-heavyweight Malik Scott means to him, Wilder responded: Me and 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. Having people you trust and know have your back means so much.
Whats understood doesnt need to be explained.
Wilder stated how camp went with Scott: I can only speak on what Ive been doing in training and sparring. I would say I look amazing.
I havent lost any steps. If anything, Ive improved and gone back to the fundamentals. Ive added new aspects to my skillset.
Its really about applying some things that I used not to work on as much.
Visibly losing weight judging by images of camp for Fury and Helenius, Wilder said hes getting back to how things were before the The Gypsy King trilogy.
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 Im going back to what Im used to and whats comfortable for me.
Contemplating retirement for weeks before making a comeback on Oct 15, Wilder explained that receiving an honor from his hometown in Alabama urged him to extend his legacy.
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 theres more that I can do.
Im still young. Ive got three more years left in this business. Theres still a lot more left for me to do.
I dont feel any pressure. Im soaking in my happiness and peace. This reign is about being happy.
I dont have anything to prove to anyone. Ive done an amazing job in my career. So now I want to do the things that make me happy.
Whatever we gain, thats a plus.
Wilder has many fights out there to keep him busy as part of a group containing the best heavyweights on the planet in Fury, Andy Ruiz Jr., and Oleksandr Usyk.
A fourth fight, a revenge mission with Fury, and a world title shot at Usyk are both on the cards after an expected Pay Per View battle with Ruiz next February in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, facing Anthony Joshua remains unlikely as the Briton is continually kept away from the top punchers around the globe by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Fans on both sides of the Atlantic would undoubtedly like the fight. However, it seems off the menu as AJ looks to rebuild his failing career.
Dillian Whyte, an opponent Joshua has already knocked out, looks to be in the London mans future at some point.
Right now, all eyes are on the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The best puncher in the sport makes his eagerly-awaited return on PPV.
The last time Wilder campaigned at the famous New York venue, he blasted out Dominic Breazeale in the first round.
WBN was ringside to witness a hellacious demolition before going backstage to a press conference as Wilder held court in his pomp.
Three years older, it will be interesting to see how the defeats to Fury have affected his mentality against other opponents.
In the past, we were used to seeing The Bronze Bomber disregard boxing skills in favor of landing that single punch.
Against Fury the last time, Wilder was forced to box more to allow himself to hit the target. Will he do that against Helenius with another big right hand?
It remains to be seen. But judging by the size of the Scandinavian boxing star, the trilogy performance against Fury would be sufficient to get the job done.
Al Haymon of Premier Boxing Champions hopes things go to plan. He can then work on Wilder and Ruizs WBC title final eliminator next year.
Ruiz did his part by defeating Luis Ortiz last month. However, in his previous triumph, he couldnt knock Ortiz out, as Wilder did in November 2019 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The one-punch ending was one of Wilders best KOs.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay.
WBN Editor Phil Jay has over ten years of boxing news experience.Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews, Instagram, and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
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Deontay Wilder reveals comeback, weight loss, and trainer decision - World Boxing News
