Error code: %{errorCode}

Boxing

Robert Helenius ready to knock out Deontay Wilder

Robert Helenius ready to knock out Deontay WilderGettyImages

Robert Helenius believes that he can be the one to deliver the knockout blow when he faces Deontay Wilder this weekend.

The pair meet on Saturday night in a heavyweight clash as the Bronze Bomber hopes to get back to winning ways after failing to beat Tyson Fury in three successive fights.

Helenius meanwhile wants to launch himself into title contention and a win against Wilder would help him stake a claim.

Speaking to Seconds Out, he explained how he had been preparing for the challenge.

“We have been doing a lot of good work and explosiveness training to match up with Wilder’s technique,” he said. “The boxing technique I think I already had because I’ve been boxing for 25 years. Mainly we’ve been focusing on keeping it fast, powerful and elusive.

“It’s hard to take sparring sessions and convert them to a fight, because fighting and sparring is always different, so I was preparing for a whole different baller back then [when sparring with Wilder in the past].

“I’ve been training for going all 12 rounds. I’m ready for that if that happens, but it’s a heavyweight event and anything can happen.

“I think I’m not without power. Even if you go back 10 years ago before my injuries and career breaks, I was knocking [people] out. I think he has to respect my power as well. 

“I can't take anything for granted. Even when we got this fight, I told my trainer and manager it will be he who wants it the most and believes in himself the most.”

Watch on YouTube