Deontay Wilder seems to be down to a shortlist of two potential comeback opponents for his eagerly-awaited return to action.
World Boxing News reported that Wilder would come back in 2022. Two solid options now stand out.
Deontay Wilder
Wilder will likely head back to Barclays Center in the last quarter of this year. Therefore, Adam Kownacki will be back in contention to meet Wilder if he gets back to winning ways this month.
Kownacki faces Ali Eren Demirezen on July 30. It’s part of the Danny Garcia vs Jose Benavidez event.
A victory puts Kownacki in with every chance due to his New York links.
At present, the frontrunner remains Robert Helenius. The Finn helped Wilder get into fantastic shape for his trilogy against Tyson Fury.
It was undoubtedly Wilder’s best performance in the three fights with the Briton.
Opponents
Helenius and Kownacki would both be massive underdogs against “The Bronze Bomber.” – But either would be sufficient to share a Brooklyn headliner.
Ironically, Kownacki’s only two losses came against Helenius, who is in the form of his life.
In an interview, coach Malik Scott informed WBN of the criteria behind their choice of an opponent. Scott spoke as Wilder took time out of the sport.
“With Deontay, obviously, the first fight back is not going to be at the level that he just left. We have to do things the right way,” Scott exclusively told World Boxing News.
“At the same time, we can’t go much lower than that [Fury]. That’s because he’s a high entertainment revenue fighter. He’s big-time boxing.
“We have to give him a threat. Deontay gets up for threats.
“Obviously, it won’t be a Fury level. But it won’t be somebody down in the bucket. We’re not going to get somebody with a record of 27-11. That’s not happening.
“It has to be a name that fans have heard of.”
Suitable threat
On his input into the decision-making, Scott added: “I will have a huge say so in the next opponent.
“When I say I will have a huge say. So I mean me and Deontay will converse about it. Also, me and [manager] Shelly [Finkel].
“We’re coming off a very, very tough fight with Fury. So the next one, I want it to be a threat. But I want it to be a suitable threat.
“I want it to be someone that keeps him alert and on point. Deontay Wilder can’t wait to continue to learn.
“That means the world to me because he’s extremely receptive.”
New York return
Regarding Wilder, the Alabama Slammer looks sure to head back to his spiritual home in New York.
The last time he fought there, he annihilated Dominic Breazeale in just 137 seconds.
WBN was present at ringside to witness the blow. The KO echoed throughout the arena. It caused audible gasps when it landed on Breazeale’s jaw.
Beating Helenius or Kownacki could lead to something significantly bigger in 2023. Potentially at the home of boxing – Las Vegas.
Premier Boxing Champions supremo Al Haymon is eyeing Andy Ruiz Jr. for a massive Pay Per View in Sin City.
To secure the bag, both need to win their next bouts.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
