Deontay Wilder will return to the ring against Robert Helenius on October 15 in New York.
The former WBC world heavyweight champion hasn’t fought since his trilogy loss to Tyson Fury last year, but is now ready to get back to work.
Wilder admitted he considered retiring while out of the ring, but insisted he was inspired to return by his fans.
“It’s been a long journey for me and from today it continues,” he said.
“I thought so many times about whether I should stay out of the company or come back.
“Once I had my statue in my hometown and saw so many people arrive and celebrate with me and my family, to see all the emotions, grown men crying in front of their children and saying, ‘C ‘is a real real king’, made me feel like my job isn’t done.
“So here I am again, eager to get back in the ring.
“So where are all my Bombzquad people?” It’s time to put on your war gear. And let’s go to work, baby. Bombzquad is back.
Wilder’s opponent Helenius was considered finished after losses to Johann Duhaupas, Dillian Whyte and Gerald Washington, but has recently bounced back with two good wins over undefeated contender Adam Kownacki.
The 38-year-old Finn was actually one of the American’s sparring partners before the third fight with Fury.
And it looks like Wilder is finally at peace regarding his trilogy with the Briton.
“It was a good fight while it lasted,” he told the PBC podcast, “It was a good time.
“Fighters, we risk our lives for each other’s entertainment and that night we just had a lot of entertainment for everyone.”
Elsewhere in the heavyweight division, Anthony Joshua is set for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night, live on talkSPORT.
“My heart easily says Usyk, he has the momentum now,” Wilder said when giving his opinion.
“But it’s boxing and you never know.
“I wish them luck and hope they walk out of the ring the way they came in – safe and sound.”
Usyk vs. Joshua 2 on talkSPORT