After two straight losses to Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder bounced back big on Saturday with a knockout victory over Robert Helenius. It happened via a devastating right hook that left a chilling image of a glassy-eyed Helenius lying on the canvas.
But “The Bronze Bomber” was not in full jubilation after seeing his former training partner in such a state. Not only did he apologize to Helenius after the fight, but he also sent a tearful but powerful message to the fans reminding them to show respect to all boxers.
“I always care about all the fighters,” Wilder said during post-fight press (quotes via MMA Fighting). “I’m a big advocate for fighters because, like I always say, you get hurt. A sport is something you practice. You don’t play that.
“We risk our lives for the entertainment of you and I’m talking about this forever. When you have a relationship with a man, when you love a man, and you strike up a friendship with another man, although he is thousands of miles away from me, when you see things like that, you want help them.
“I wanted to help him but they wouldn’t let me and I understood because he needed space.”
For Wilder, a knockout victory could serve him well. The other person, on the other hand, can be severely compromised, something outside observers never really pay too much attention to.
“But my heart goes out to him and I hope he’s fine and can go back to his family, because it’s a tough business we’re in. That’s why I say to people, you have to respect all fighters.
“People are always worried about records and all that, ‘He lost, he’s a tramp’, and all that. You put your ass in there and let’s see who the tramp is, really. Because you don’t play you can’t play this.
“We demand respect at all times, every fighter who steps into the ring. I don’t care what the record is, I don’t care who they are or where they come from, it demands respect, because if not then you see things like this happening. And then, “Oh, that’s a great knockout,”
“Yeah, it’s a great knockout, it’s devastating, making history and stuff like that, but how much is this man going to suffer?
“He might be fine right now, a little bit, but what about tomorrow? What about two weeks? What about a month? Maybe years .
Wilder got more emotional when he started talking about 30-year-old Prichard Colón, who was punched multiple times in the back of the head during his 2015 fight with Terrel Williams. He fell into a 221-day coma and has since been in a vegetative state.
“Look at Colon. Prichard Colon. This man has no children. They don’t understand, they don’t understand what we’re going through. And I don’t even know him like that.
“But I will always be an advocate for us because that man would never know what it’s like to be someone’s father. And that’s one of the (most) precious things in the world, to be somebody’s dad. But he’ll never be anybody’s dad, man.
“This man will never have the natural ability to live again because he got in the ring to support his family. And now his family has to take care of him for the rest of his life.
Coming back to Helenius, Wilder only wants the best.
“We don’t know if Robert will be the same after this. I just did a job. I’m good at what I do. I don’t want to take people away from their lifestyle. I’m also trying to support of my family.
“That’s what we’re committed to doing and unfortunately there’s a winner and a loser and sometimes it’s a draw. But who bears that responsibility when they can’t work anymore?
“Robert could be the breadwinner of his family, but if he can’t do that anymore, then what? Who pays the bills? Who pays the mortgage? He has children – who will take care of his children?
“Because we all know that when you lose and it’s not right, those same people who, when you win, who hug you and tell you they love you, aren’t there for you anymore. Where are- they ?
Wilder also checked on Helenius at his hotel after the fight, sharing a touching moment with his opponent.
“I love you bro, I’m sorry,” Wilder said as they shared a long hug after the contest. ” How are you ? I love you man.”
Helenius went on to say he was likely retiring after the knockout loss and thanked Wilder as they hugged again.
Wilder finally got to check on Helenius and the moment they shared was amazing. If you don’t enjoy wilder, you don’t enjoy boxing. pic.twitter.com/1wDiZFpjcz
— Lex (@BadBeatsLex) October 16, 2022
With Saturday’s win, Wilder’s record improved to 43-2-1.
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