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'The knockout was needed' - Denotay Wilder reacts to Anthony Joshua KO at Joshua vs Helenius Showdown
Deontay Wilder's head coach, Malik Scott, suggests that Anthony Joshua's seventh-round knockout win against Robert Helenius sets the perfect stage for a much-anticipated bout with Wilder, slated for January in Saudi Arabia. Although an official confirmation for the Joshua-Wilder fight is still pending, Scott believes Joshua's recent victory boosts the excitement for their potential match. Wilder's camp remains optimistic about the outcome. Scott, during an interaction with October Red's YouTube channel, mentioned both he and Wilder felt that Joshua's knockout was the exact outcome they had hoped for. He explained:
"The knockout has made the anticipated fight even more significant. Kudos to Joshua for delivering. And a big salute to Helenius. Stepping into the ring with top contenders isn’t easy, more so on such short notice."Helenius was a last-minute replacement for Dillian Whyte, who faced complications with a doping test shortly before the scheduled fight. Despite this sudden change, Helenius, known as the 'Nordic Nightmare,' managed to pull off a victory against Mika Mielonen in Finland just a week prior. However, Scott wasn't overly impressed with Joshua's performance. He stated:
"Aside from the knockout, there wasn't much to take note of. I'm more convinced than ever about Wilder's chances against Joshua. Give them three or four rounds, and I see Wilder overpowering him."According to Scott, Wilder's aggressive stance sets him apart. He elaborated:
"If you looked closely, Joshua had some visible injuries during the Helenius fight. When Wilder faced Helenius, he emerged without a scratch. The difference lies in their approach. Wilder's punches pack more force, and he brings a unique fierceness to the ring."Wilder last took on Helenius in a WBC world heavyweight title eliminator match in New York, finishing him in the first round. Before locking horns with Joshua, Wilder plans to face another opponent. Scott revealed:
"Ruiz isn’t eager to challenge Wilder. We're scouting for a fighter willing to risk it, even if it likely ends in another knockout victory for us."
