DEONTAY WILDER made an emphatic comeback to the boxing ring with a huge first-round knockout of Robert Helenius in New York.
Wilder started slowly but as soon as Helenius committed to an attack, a huge right hand came back his way and ended things with 10 seconds of the round left.
Wilder is now on course to fight Andy Ruiz Jr next year.
- Start time: 4am UK
- Live stream/TV: FITE TV
- Jack Figg
Wilder KO’s Helenius
Wilder is set to address the media in a few moments.
We will bring you updates on what the American has to say after knocking out Helenius.
epa10246567 Deontay Wilder of the United States reacts after his victory over Robert Helenius of Sweden during their 12 rounds WBC World Heavyweight Title Eliminator fight at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn New York, New York, 15 October 2022. EPA/JASON SZENESCredit: EPA - Jack Figg
Fur real?
The WBC are now expected to order Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr to fight in a final eliminator.
It will determine Tyson Fury's next mandatory challenger for his WBC heavyweight world title.
Credit: AFP - Jack Figg
Wilder KO's Helenius
Robert Helenius was left needing medical assistance after that brutal right hand from Deontay Wilder.
Credit: AFP
- Matt Penn
Down in instalments
Huge KO by Wilder. Helenius just didn't see it coming.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Credit: Getty - Jack Figg
Wilder calls out Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz Jr
"Who's next? I've been hearing rumours about Usyk and he isn't even in the building, or is he?
"You know most the time when guys say they want me and come to a show of mine and see a devastating knockout that they turn the corner on me, I've had many.
"I'm down for whatever, whether it's Andy Ruiz, or Usyk or whoever. Lets bring it on. Deontay Wilder is back. The excitement in the heavyweight division is back.
"There's no heavyweight division without Deontay Wilder."
- Jack Figg
Wilder KO Helenius
Wilder says: "It's just amazing to be back in Brooklyn. It's like a second home to me. This is arena is like a second home to me.
"It just feels so good to be back. When I came off the plane and set foot off the ground I just felt a great energy, I felt the love and support and that's all I needed.
"So when I stepped foot in the arena I felt the same thing and I knew it was going to be a great night and it was for me."
- Matt Penn
Wilder speaks
"It's just amazing to be back in Brooklyn. It's like a second home to me. This is arena is like a second home to me," Wilder said.
"It just feels so good to be back. When I came off the plane and set foot off the ground I just felt a great energy, I felt the love and support and that's all I needed.
"So when I stepped foot in the arena I felt the same thing and I knew it was going to be a great night and it was for me."
- Matt Penn
Wilder KO Helenius
Just unbelievable. Helenius dominates most of the round, pushing Wilder back.
And with under 10 seconds to go, Wilder knocks his man out with a big right hand.
- Matt Penn
Wilder KNOCKS OUT Helenius
WOW!
- Matt Penn
Wilder vs Helenius
Both men are in the ring!
- Matt Penn
Wilder vs Helenius is NEXT1
Finally, the main event is upon us.
Deontay Wilder make his return to the ring after a year out of action.
- Matt Penn
Plant KNOCKS OUT Dirrell
And just like that, it's all over!
Huge left hook ends Dirrell's night! What a statement win from Plant in Brooklyn.
- Matt Penn
Plant vs Dirrell
Crowd now booing both fighters.
It's been a really tame affair so far, and it's getting really late/early here in the UK.
5am and no Wilder yet. Brooklyn fans aren't happy with what they're seeing.
- Matt Penn
Plant vs Dirrell
Pretty drab action so far with neither guy willing to commit to anything.
Plant winning these rounds but no intention of pushing anything too serious from either man.
- Matt Penn
Plant vs Dirrell
Caleb asserting himself in these early rounds, making Dirrell miss when he attempts to land big.
Dirrell does look sharp but Plant just looks that little bit trickier in there.
- Matt Penn
Caleb Plant returns
Caleb Plant makes his return to the ring for the first time since his loss to Canelo Alvarez last year.
Anthony Dirrell is his opponent.
- Matt Penn
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 9
Sanchez STOPS Negron.
He puts his man face first into the ropes, Negron gets up but Sanchez finishes it with a flurry.
Emphatic win for Sanchez, and one he's been crying out for.
- Matt Penn
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 6
A little more excitement as Sanchez rocks Negron.
Once again, however, he fails to follow it up with anything meaningful.
- Matt Penn
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 5
More of the same. All very quiet in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Let's get Deontay Wilder in there.
- Matt Penn
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 4
Bit of a slow burn again this one. Sanchez in a bit of another stinker here.
Negron not lying down and Sanchez not really pressing.
- Matt Penn
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 3
Negron lands a nice left hook on Sanchez!
He's in for a fight here, the Cuban. Sanchez stumbles into the ropes and when he turns around he takes another right to the chin.
- Matt Penn
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 2
More of the same in the second but Sanchez leaving himself a little more open than usual.
The openings for Negron are there if he decides he wants to exploit them.
Sanchez doesn't look like he respects what's coming back at him.
- Matt Penn
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 1
Solid opener for Sanchez, who rocks his man with a big right hand but hasn't quite got the intensity to follow it up.
Not much coming from Negron so far.
- Matt Penn
Sanchez vs Negron – Round 1
We're underway!
- Matt Penn
Frank Sanchez is up next!
The Cuban heavyweight takes on Carlos Negron.
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