Photos: Stephanie Trapp
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – October 12, 2022 – Former WBC Heavyweight World Champion and boxing superstar Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder visited the New York Giants facility on Wednesday, as he prepares to take on top-rated Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius in a WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator on Saturday, October 15 topping a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will see Wilder look to make his first step toward becoming a two-time heavyweight champion with an emphatic victory over the hard-hitting Helenius. Wilder’s first title reign saw him rack up an astounding 10 consecutive successful defenses and a staggering 91.1% knockout rate, combining to make him one of the biggest stars in the sport today.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through seatgeek.com and barclayscenter.com. Tickets are also available for purchase in-person at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
On Wilder’s tour of the Giants facility, he met with General Manager Joe Schoen, Head Coach Brian Daboll, star running back Saquon Barkley and other members of the team, as the 4-1 Giants look to continue their surprising early-season success against the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday.
Here is what Wilder had to say on Wednesday:
DEONTAY WILDER
“I’m here in New York and it’s only right that I stop by this great facility and visit the New York Giants. A lot of people doubted them this season and they’re 4-1. It’s a big blessing. We’ve got one of my guys here, Xavier [McKinney] representing Alabama, so we know him very well. And Coach Daboll too so there are a lot of Alabama ties here.
“Saquon is a great player. A great guy with great spirit when you get to know him. I have a battle on Saturday and they have one on Sunday. I came here to check out the facility, see what their regimen is, how their practice goes and it’s been a great time.
“Growing up, I played football, basketball, baseball and if I had time for soccer, I would have played that as well. But once I got into boxing, it just took over my life. It’s a year-round business so you can’t take it easy. But I used to play everything from wide receiver to quarterback. That was one of my big things. I was always tall as a quarterback so I could see over everyone. At wide receiver, I’d run a hitch route and they would just throw it up in the air. Today made me reminisce a little bit.
“I plan to come in at my happy weight. Meaning, whatever I weigh, I’ll be happy. I came up here looking for sparring partners, looked at the players and told Coach Daboll, ‘Coach what are you feeding these guys? They’re so huge.’ These guys are so huge, I’d have to be the quarterback where it’s safer. I don’t want to get fed to these guys, they’ll eat me up alive.
“I’m not sure how long my fight against Robert Helenius will be. This second reign is going to be about having fun. I don’t have anything to prove, I’ve gained so much success, and everything I have done inside the ring has been set in stone with my statue in my hometown of Tuscaloosa. So, at this point in time, whatever comes my way is a blessing. But you already know I don’t get paid for overtime so we’re going for the knockout.”
