Via Robert Segal: Coach Joe Goosen really liked how Deontay Wilder dropped to 214 lbs for his game against Robert Helenius this Saturday night.
Goosen notes that Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) is always at his best when his weight is low, around 214 & 215. In Wilder’s last two fights with Tyson Fury, he He moved away from that, opting to ramp up to the 230s, which slowed him down and negatively affected his cardio.
Now with Wilder back to his old weight at 214 1/2 lbs for Saturday’s bout against Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Goosen hopes he fans will see the old boxer he used to join in the past.
Goosen feels that Wilder has dedicated himself to boxing, and he hopes he will win the world title back at some point. We’ll see on Saturday night whether Wilder’s new weight will help him up against 253 lb Helenius since he’s given away a lot of weight.
We will see the Finnish boxer will likely follow Fury’s blueprint to take down Wilder by leaning on him.
“I think it’s unbelievable because that’s the weight he’s best at. 214, 215, right in there,” coach Joe Goosen told Against TV Hub when asked for his thoughts on the 214 1/2 lbs Deontay Wilder on Friday for his match Saturday night against Robert Helenius.
“As time went on, he started to gain weight. That happens with the heavyweights, but I think he’s going back to where he was at the best of times, 214, 215, right around the corner.
“I think it shows he’s dedicated to his craft, and he sounds different; he looks different. He’s in a great mood. He has put on the rings.
“I know he went with Malik and JD and John House in Las Vegas. He put a total of 400, or 500 rounds there, maybe with wits, and for heavyweight, that’s a lot of work. It shows.
“I think Helenius probably won’t be exposed either. I think it’s going to be a revival of Deontay Wilder where he’ll eventually win the heavyweight belt back because he’s an extraordinary boxer.
“He has an incredible right arm, and he is a good guy. I really like Deontay, and I wish him well. Of course, I used to coach his coach, Malik Scott. I have a little personal concern in that regard.
“Yeah, I just thought Deontay looked incredible. He put in the work this time. I don’t think you can say more than that. There might be a 25-pound weight difference, but there isn’t. Sometimes you can punch better with a lighter weight.
“You are faster, sharper, sharper and I think in this respect we are talking about Deontay, right? I think he’s the most explosive at this weight. I don’t think being a heavyweight, lighter than your opponent is a disadvantage. There are many examples of that throughout history.
“When I look at Wilder, sometimes their personality can tell you where they are mentally as well as physically. Wilder’s personality is sky-high. He is very happy. He is in a good position. That makes a lot of sense if you’re a coach. You know what that means.
“He’s not just happy and comfortable right now. It was because he felt confident in himself because he put in the work. When you work you can have a bit of a carefree attitude because on the night of the fight you will turn it on and do your job.
“So I see that difference in Deontay. He has a lot of confidence right now. When you’re confident, you can present yourself as a laid-back guy, and he’s where he is right now,” Goosen said of Wilder.
