Zimpapers Logo

NEW YORK. — Former WBC heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder will return to the ring against Finland’s Robert Helenius on October 15, his first fight since the completion of his trilogy against Tyson Fury last year, the American’s promoters said. Wilder (42-2-1) was stopped in the 11th round by Fury in Las Vegas for his second straight loss to the Briton, who retained the WBC heavyweight title.

Their first fight in December 2018 ended in a split draw.

“It’s been a long journey for me and as of today it continues,” the 36-year-old, who was honoured with a statue in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama earlier this year, said in a statement on Wednesday.

“I thought so many times about whether I should stay out of the business or come back. Once I got my statue in my hometown and saw so many people arrive and celebrate with me … made me feel like my job is not done.”  — AFP.