Why Wilder's Knockout of Helenius Was More Impressive Than You Think - Teddy Atlas Explains

Let’s also remember that Teddy Atlas, before the second trilogy bout, was confident that Wilder would knock Fury out and that it was more or less inevitable. We all know how that turned out.

Teddy Atlas has long been a fan of Deontay Wilder. There’s nothing wrong with being a fan, but I find it annoying when pundits and talking heads let their personal bias influence their expert commentary. We know the shot Wilder threw to knock out Helenius is nothing new for his repertoire. There’s an old video of Ben Davidson post Wilder-Fury I defending himself for not letting Fury take the fight to Wilder, because he believed that Wilder was most dangerous on the back foot (and cited the Szpilka knockout and others as well if I remember correctly). We saw Wilder knockout Ortiz with a similar mid-range, relatively “normal” looking right in their second fight, and he put Szpilka in hospital with a right hand off the ropes when Szpilka charged in on him (just like Helenius). Wilder also landed one of the hardest shots I’ve ever seen someone get up from on Fury in their third fight, and that too, was off the back foot as Fury tried to walk him down into the ropes. Wilder is always going to be a dangerous heavyweight, and I suppose it’s possible he could still be refining his tactics and execution at age 37, although I sincerely doubt that his physical condition, reactions, and hand speed are anything but past their peak at this point.

Let us know how Gerald Washington sent Helenius through the ropes too.

Malik has sharpened Wilder's back foot game. No heavyweight other than Fury has shown they can get up from that shot. Maybe Usyk, maybe Joyce, but I doubt it. And that has to be proven in the ring. I got Wilder knocking out AJ, whether it happens now or in 3 years.​ You know what else "has to be proven in the ring"?? Wilder actually getting them in the ring and doing it. Wilder has got to be the most decorated "imaginary" victor of all time. Hearing the "only Fury" can beat Wilder nonsense his fans hang thier hat on is nauseating and comical since Furys resume is just as bare of top level competition as Wilders. Both looked like shit and sloppy as hell in thier 3rd fight and to suggest Usyk,Joshua,Joyce,Wallin couldn't perform better than either is asinine.

Malik has sharpened Wilder's backfoot game. No heavyweight other than Fury has shown they can get up from that shot. Maybe Usyk, maybe Joyce, but I doubt it. And that has to be proven in the ring. I got Wilder knocking out AJ, whether it happens now or in 3 years. Wilder being able to KO Joshua, Usyk, Joyce etc has to be proven in the ring too.

Malik has sharpened Wilder's back foot game. No heavyweight other than Fury has shown they can get up from that shot. Maybe Usyk, maybe Joyce, but I doubt it. And that has to be proven in the ring. I got Wilder knocking out AJ, whether it happens now or in 3 years.​

Malik has sharpened Wilder's backfoot game. No heavyweight other than Fury has shown they can get up from that shot. Maybe Usyk, maybe Joyce, but I doubt it. And that has to be proven in the ring. I got Wilder knocking out AJ, whether it happens now or in 3 years.