When Robert Helenius was confirmed as the opponent for former heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua at the O2 Arena on August 12, a lot of fight fans will have had the same image flash through their minds.
One just can’t help but recollect the sight of a bearded fighter staring up at the arc lights with a look of absolute terror on his face.
Who puts that kind of terror into people?
Well, in 2023, the most well-known one-punch knockout out artist in world boxing is former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. The Alabama native has 42 knockouts in 43 wins and is widely regarded as the biggest single-shot hitter in heavyweight history.
WATCH: Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius, live on DAZN
After suffering a second stoppage defeat at the hands of Tyson Fury, in October 2021, Wilder took a year out of the sport. When he returned, there were those who felt that he may have lost a bit of hunger for the game and that Helenius might be in the right place at the right time.
Those fears were put to rest quickly.
The Sporting News takes a look back at the Wilder vs. Helenius fight:
When did Deontay Wilder fight Robert Helenius?
The Wilder vs. Helenius bout took place on October 15, 2022.
Where did the Deontay Wilder vs. Robert Helenius fight take place?
The Wilder vs. Helenius bout was a main event at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, which can hold up to 19,000 fans.
It was Wilder’s fifth appearance at the venue and Helenius’ second.
MORE: Who is Robert Helenius? Anthony Joshua's replacement opponent
What happened in the Deontay Wilder vs. Robert Helenius fight?
At the opening bell, Wilder adopted an unusually cautious approach, but the ex-champ, a veteran of 12 world title fights, was simply in reconnaissance mode.
Given the danger in front of him, Helenius was surprisingly confident and pursued his hard-hitting opponent in earnest. When Wilder did let his hands go, the Finland-based fighter tucked up well and stayed composed.
But it only takes one mistake.
As Wilder slid to his left and entered a corner, the visitor pursued him and got reckless. Helenius reached with a slow straight left to the body and offered a tantalizing target. Quick as a flash, Wilder counter with a ridiculously short straight right to the head.
Helenius was on the canvas in an eyeblink and had the look of a man who had been tasered. The official time of the stoppage was 2:57 of the opening round.
According to CompuBox, Wilder landed three of 17 shots thrown, whereas Helenius scored with five of 22.
