DEONTAY WILDER'S boxing return could be announced NEXT WEEK with with Robert Helenius one of "several" names in talks.
Wilder's career was left in doubt last October following a gruelling defeat in his epic trilogy bout with Tyson Fury.
But recently, the American has been captured training again and was seen bumping into Francis Ngannou, 35, at a UFC training facility.
His manager Shelly Finkel has now revealed an agreement for Wilder's comeback fight is edging closer and could even come next week.
Finkel told SunSport in New York: "Spoke with him on Tuesday, he couldn't be happier.
"He's having a great time and he's getting more attention now than ever before. He's out in Vegas training and he's very happy.
READ MORE IN BOXING
Last-minute tips to master Dream Team ahead of tonight’s kick-off!
Wilder reveals he and Fury will NEVER be friends after epic trilogy of fights
"He's at the UFC gym training, we're not exactly sure where the next fight will be yet but I would hope to have that together in the next week or so.
"I think next week we'll probably have an agreement and then an announcement."
Wilder, 36, was knocked out in round 11 against Fury, 33, after being floored three times but scoring two knockdowns of his own.
The ex-WBC champion then went radio silent, leaving his boxing future in doubt.
Most read in Boxing
Date & live stream details for massive heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia
Wilder leaves fans shocked with lean physique and incredible body transformation
Tyson showed BAPTISM PAPERS to prove he was 14 as no one believed his age
AJ fight with Usyk to be shown for FREE in brilliant move by Ukrainian star
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
But talk of a return soon surfaced as Wilder was seen publicly again and now back in training.
Fury's promoter Frank Warren even claimed the Bronze Bomber was going to fight his former sparring partner Helenius.
But Finkel has clarified a deal with the Finish heavyweight, 38, has not been struck, although they remain in talks.
He said: "There's nothing done.
"What happened on that, Frank and I are pretty close, and Frank said to me, 'Are you looking at Helenius as one of the people as one of the ones you're looking at? As I'm interested in him for Daniel Dubois'.
"I said, 'Yeah, I'm interested in him for Deontay.' Then, all of a sudden he tells people that. And that's how that all started.
"At this moment, he's just one of several we're looking at."
Finkel added that Wilder's targeted return date is in the last quarter of 2022, meaning he will fight before the year is over.
Source: Read Full Article
