On Saturday, Deontay Wilder makes his 2022 debut as he takes on Robert Helenius from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
As always, plenty of bets can be made with a big-time boxing card. Let's take a look at some of them.
Deontay Wilder vs. Robert Helenius odds
Deontay Wilder: -800
Robert Helenius: +550
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM (as of Wednesday, Oct. 12) has Wilder installed as a massive favorite — coming in at -800, meaning you'd need to bet a whopping $800 just to win $100. Meanwhile, Helenius is the underdog at +550, meaning if you pluck down $100, you will win $550 if the native of Finland and Sweden can score the upset and ruin potential big fights that loom ahead for the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist.
Wilder wasn't sure if he'd ever return to the ring after losing to Tyson Fury for the second consecutive time via stoppage in October 2021. Admittedly, Wilder said he was 85 percent out the door. But a May ceremony in his honor changed Wilder's tune and he chose Helenius as his comeback opponent.
Helenius stamped himself as one of the world’s best heavyweights with consecutive stoppage wins over the previously unbeaten Adam Kownacki, including a sixth-round TKO win over Kownacki in Helenius’ last outing on the Fury-Wilder 3 undercard. The 38-year-old “Nordic Nightmare” has won six of his last seven bouts.
Deontay Wilder vs. Robert Helenius prediction
On paper, this should be a Wilder rout. He's got a better resume, is a former world champion and has a significant point to prove. Wilder's got to show the world those two losses to Tyson Fury were a fluke and he's still a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.
Yes, Helenius is coming off two spectacular back-to-back stoppage wins over touted prospect Adam Kownacki. No offense to Kownacki, but he doesn't possess the power of "The Bronze Bomber."
Without question, Wilder is the best one-punch knockout finisher in the division. But Helenius has a legitimate chance to win come Saturday evening.
Helenius has enough power to get Wilder's attention if he isn't "all in." It's hard to imagine Wilder not putting Helenius away after getting a few rounds in the bank. However, he can't wait too long and start to give Helenius confidence and the belief in victory.
A Wilder KO at -450 isn't really bad in this situation and lower than expected considering out of his 42 wins, 41 have come by knockout. A Helenius KO at +900 is a solid play since Wilder's suffered two consecutive defeats inside the distance and he's won his last two fights via stoppage over Kownacki.
Spend the money on a stoppage as there's no chance it's going to the judges' scorecards. And with cash, put a little extra on Wilder returning with a vengeance with an emphatic KO.
Muehlhausen's pick: Deontay Wilder
Best odds: Helenius by KO/TKO at +900
More Wilder vs. Helenius odds
Method of victory
Wilder by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: -450
Wilder on points: +600
Helenius by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: +900
Helenius on points: +1400
Tie: +2500