Robert Helenius- We’re Going To Be Ready For Deontay
On Tuesday heavyweight contenders Robert Helenius and Deontay Wilder met together virtually with the media. And, for the man known as “the Nordic Nighmare” he’s well aware that the former WBC champ’s punching power, and him being ready for it, is the key in their upcoming PBC main event bout October 15th in Brooklyn, NY.
Helenius said Tuesday that having studied Wilder’s vicious KO’s, but more importantly having sparred in training significant time with him, as well, will have him ready for the “Bronze Bomber” Wilder.
“It’s tough to say if I felt Deontay’s power in sparring because of the headgear and bigger gloves. I think it’s more about his speed. Some people punch with a lot of force, but I think his best attribute is the explosiveness.
“I like being the underdog. It wakes me up a little bit. I know that I have to concentrate fully and be the best version of myself. Of course there’s still some pressure, but that’s what comes with being in such an important fight.
Helenius (30-3, 19 KOs) solidified himself as one of the world’s best heavyweights with consecutive stoppage wins over the previously unbeaten Adam Kownacki, including an October 2021 sixth-round TKO win over Kownacki on the undercard of Wilder’s second straight KO loss to Tyson Fury in their trilogy fight.
Born in Sweden and fighting out of Mariehamn, Finland, Helenius established himself as one of Europe’s top heavyweights prior to making his U.S. debut in 2019. The 38-year-old “Nordic Nightmare” has won six of his last seven bouts.
However, he knows that this will be the most dangerous foe he’s faced, as Wilder has 41 KOs in his 42 victories. Still, he made clear Tuesday that he’s fine with most believing he’ll fall just like the rest of Wilder’s opponents, “We’ve been training for this fight for a very long time, so we’ve made some tactical changes over that time. I obviously can’t reveal it but we’re going to be ready for Deontay.”
The two will battle in a WBC heavyweight title eliminator showdown on a FOX Sports PBC pay-[er-view from Barclays Center in 10 days.
A veteran broadcaster of over 25 years, T.J. has been a fight fan longer than that! He’s the host of the “Big Fight Weekend” podcast and will go “toe to toe” with anyone who thinks that Marvin Hagler beat Sugar Ray Leonard or that Tyson, Lennox Lewis or Deontay Wilder could have beaten Ali!
