Boxing

Deontay Wilder is back: “I have 3 more years”. Main reasons for his return to the ring

by
Valeria Rubino
October 12, 2022

The Comeback. Why?

After his loss to Tyson Fury and his decision to retire to devote his time to his family, Deontay Wilder changed his mind and chose to come back to boxing.

What are the three main reasons he is returning to the ring? What statement does he intend to make on fight night in Brooklyn?

Watch our video interview.

wilder — photo: Henry DeLeon/TGB Promotions

“All of my accomplishments have been set in stone with a statue in my hometown. Seeing all the people that came out to unite with me and my family, it meant a lot to me. It allowed me to understand that I’m very important to a lot of people all over the world,” Wilder told ViaggioSport.

“To see men and women shed their tears and tell their kids this is what greatness is, this is what a role model is, allowed me to understand I got 3 more years in here…It’s a great feeling to receive your roses while you’re still alive. I am not dead, I am not about to die and I am not retired. So I am dedicating myself the people. The true people’s champion.”

Deontay — photo: Henry DeLeon/TGB Promotions

Wilder’s legacy

What does Wilder want his legacy to be? “I want my legacy to be that I was a great man, a motivator and someone who abided by his word. He gave everything he had in every fight. I want people to say that Deontay Wilder stood for something.”

Oct. 15th fight vs Helenius

“The Bronze Bomber,” former heavyweight world champion, is facing “The Nordic Nightmare” Robert Helenius on October 15th at Barclays Center.

Wilder loves fighting in Brooklyn and feels like New York is a second home for him. “I feel good and that’s all that’s going to matter. The energy is going to be there in the arena. I’m looking forward to performing for the thousands that are going to be there and millions that are going to be watching.”

wilder ViaggioSport — photo: Henry DeLeon/TGB Promotions

Having Fun

Wilder stressed that having fun is essential in what he defined the second part of his career. How did he manage to make his training camp fun and entertaining to keep his motivation up? “We are still working on different drills besides training and I switched locations. I was mostly in Vegas and came to Alabama for sparring. I think switching up the location made it much more exciting, along with the activities, the things we were doing inside of the ring. And the positive energy that was on the outside of the ring.”