 Helenius in 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nickname | The Nordic Nightmare | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality |
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| Born | Robert Gabriel Helenius (1984-01-02)2 January 1984 (age 42) Stockholm, Sweden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.00 m (6 ft6+1⁄2 in)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | Heavyweight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boxing career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 201 cm (79 in)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stance | Orthodox | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boxing record[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Win by KO | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Robert Gabriel Helenius (born 2 January 1984) is a Finnish formerprofessional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2023. At regional level, he held multipleheavyweight championships, including theEuropean title twice between 2011 and 2016. As anamateur, he won a silver medal at the2006 European Championships. He holds notable wins over former world heavyweight championsLamon Brewster,Samuel Peter, andSiarhei Liakhovich.
Helenius began training boxing under his father at the age of five. In the early 2000s,Tony Halme was one of Helenius' first sparring and training partners. Helenius won the bronze medal in 2000 at the European "cadets" (U 17) championships inPatras; he lost to CroatianMario Preskar.In 2001 at the Junior European Championships inSarajevo he earned another bronze, losing to hard-hitting RussianIslam Timurziev.
At the 2001 Finnish Amateur Boxing Championships, in thesuper heavyweight division, Helenius lost to eventual gold medallistJanne Katajisto in the first round. The following year, Katajisto defeated Helenius in the final.[3][4]
In 2005 atMianyang Helenius beatDavid Price on points but then lost toRustam Saidov.
2006, however, was his breakthrough year. At the2006 European Amateur Boxing Championships inPlovdiv he finished second, again beaten by Timurziev, this time on points. By this time all of Helenius's victories had come by knockout including versusBogdan Dinu.
Since 2006 Helenius has been fighting in Germany in the Box-Bundesliga (Premier League) forHertha BSC.PromoterSauerland-Boxstall had bought an option in case Helenius turned pro after the Olympics. At the Olympic qualifiers he lost toMarko Tomasović andJaroslavas Jakšto. Helenius also faced MMA heavyweight fighterSergei Kharitonov in the amateurs, beating him by points.
Helenius turned pro in 2008 to fight for Germany'sWilfried Sauerland. In 2009 Helenius knocked out formerBritish heavyweight championScott Gammer and defeatedTaras Bidenko with a third round stoppage.
In January 2010 Helenius made the biggest step up so far of his professional career in squaring off against former WBO heavyweight championLamon Brewster. Many commentators wondered if the Brewster fight had come too early for the big Finn, however Helenius proved his toughness and punching power by grinding Brewster down to score a TKO in the eighth round. Helenius went on to defeatGbenga Oloukun on 26 March 2010 in Helsinki, despite breaking a bone next to the knuckles of his right hand.
In August 2010 Helenius won the vacant EU heavyweight title against unbeatenGrégory Tony. Helenius defended his title for the first time on 27 November 2010 by beatingAttila Levin with atechnical knockout in the second round. In the same match he also won the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title.
Trying to build on the momentum of his big win over Lamon Brewster, Helenius signed to fight another former world heavyweight champion inSamuel Peter. Peter was coming off a 10th-round knockout loss to unified heavyweight championWladimir Klitschko in their marquee rematch bout. The fight took place on 2 April 2011. Peter started the bout aggressively working behind a consistent body and head attack. However, Helenius weathered the storm and soon began to find the mark with his trademark right hand in the middle rounds. As the bout headed into the 9th the score cards were divided, nevertheless Helenius ended matters scoring a knockout leaving Peter out cold on the canvas for well over the 10 second count.
On 27 August 2011 Helenius successfully defended his WBO and WBA Inter-Continental titles againstSergei Liakhovich inMunich,Germany, by technical knockout in round 9. It was Helenius' third knockout victory against former heavyweight champions and further cemented his position as one of the world's top ranked heavyweights.
On 3 December 2011, Helenius won the vacant European Championship title (EBU) by beatingDerek Chisora by a twelve-roundsplit decision inHelsinki, Finland. The decision was highly debated as most pundits and onlookers thought Chisora had done enough to get the decision. In the Finnish press Helenius claimed he had injured his right arm in the first round of the match, and was thus unable to use it fully.[5] A fracture was found, but it was considered to be minor.[6] The result was widely criticized by the crowd and pundits withFreddie Roach who was commentating the fight labelling it "just terrible" and added 'Helenius was supposed to be the next big thing and the man to challenge the Klitschko's, but Derek totally exposed him and I'm being generous in giving him four winning rounds in the fight'.[7][8]
The Ring considered the outcome of the match "a gift", dropping Helenius' ranking from fifth to sixth challenger.[7][8] On the other hand, his slugger fighting style has been described as lazy but powerful; he looks to be not doing much, but keeps putting men down.[9]
The injury required an operation and to achieve complete healing and to minimize any possibility of further injury, a long break from fights. After a year away from boxing, Helenius beat veteranSherman "The Caribbean Tank" Williams on points on 10 November 2012 inHelsinki keeping his clean record. The fight was the main event on the onlySauerland EventsViasat Nordic Fight Night card so far held outside ofDenmark. On 23 March 2013 in Magdeburg, Germany, Helenius won his match againstMichael Sprott on points in 10-round match. Helenius broke his right hand wrist in fight.[10]
Due to contract disputes with Team Sauerland, Helenius was inactive for two years, before breaking off the contract with Sauerland in February 2015.[11] Sauerland did not accept the one-sided break of contract and took the issue to the court.[12]
Helenius returned to the ring on 21 March 2015 inTallinn, when he faced Andras Csomor.[13] On 13 June 2015 Helenius fought against Georgian champion Beka Lobjanidze at Vaasa, Finland. Lobjanidze stood no chance and went to floor in every round before retiring from the fight during the third.
On 19 December 2015, Helenius was supposed to faceErkan Teper for the EBU heavyweight title, but Teper since cancelled the match and had to give up his title due an injury.[14] With Teper pulling out Helenius was matched with replacement opponent undefeatedFranz Rill the bout would contest the EBU European heavyweight title vacated by Teper as well as theIBF international heavyweight title. Helenius scored a clear and decisive 12 round unanimous decision; Rill was aggressive but Helenius dominated proceedings with his jab and powerful counter punching sending his opponent to the canvas in both the first and fourth rounds.[15]
On 20 January 2016, Helenius vacated the European belt after refusing to fightmandatory challengerDerek Chisora.[16] Instead, Helenius facedJohann Duhaupas for the vacant WBC Silver Heavyweight title on 2 April in Helsinki.[17] The match ended with Duhaupas knocking Helenius out in the sixth round marking the first loss for previously undefeated Helenius.[18]
On 10 September 2016, Helenius faced German boxerKonstantin Airich in his home town Marienhamn. This was his first fight after the knockout defeat against Duhaupas. Helenius finished the match in the first round knocking Airich out after 49 seconds.[19]
In October 2016 Helenius and Sauerland announced that they had come in terms with their contract dispute from 2015 and would organize at least two more matches together.[20]
On 17 December 2016 Helenius beat Argentinian Gonzalo Basile in 48 seconds in a lackluster scrab at Hartwall Arena, Helsinki.
On 24 March 2017 it was announced that Helenius would get a much awaited rematch againstDerek Chisora at theHartwall Arena inHelsinki,Finland. The same arena they fought at when Helenius won a controversial split decision in December 2011. The bout would have contested for the vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title on 27 May 2017.[21][22] On 16 May, the fight was however postponed to take place after summer 2017.[23] After Chisora rematch was postponed, Helenius went on to face RussianEvgeny Orlov on 17 June 2017 and did gain an easy victory in 6th round.[24]
On 15 October 2017, it was announced that Helenius would faceDillian Whyte on 28 October, after Whyte had had a hard time finding an opponent.[25] Whyte controlled the match from the third round on and eventually won by a twelve-round unanimous decision.[26] Helenius commented afterwards that he knew the risks for accepting the match on such fast notice and with only a week of training, but took the risk in a need for money.[27]
On 17 March 2018, Helenius faced Yury Bykhautsou inRakvere, Estonia. Helenius got injured during the match, but ended up winning by an 8-round split decision.[28] Disappointed with his performance during the match, Helenius negotiated a rematch with Bykhautsou for 11 August 2018 inOlavinlinna.[29] Rematch ended with Helenius landing another victory, this time by a unanimous decision.[30]
On 29 September 2018, Helenius facedErkan Teper for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title. The bout consisted of Helenius controlling most of the fight before knocking out Teper in round 8.[31]
After almost a year away from the ring, Helenius made his first appearance in the United States, facingGerald Washington on 13 July 2019. He lost the bout via knockout in the eighth round.[32]
On 30 November 2019, Helenius faced Mateus Roberto Osorio inNarva, Estonia. After dropping Osorio in the end of the first round, Helenius went on to knock him out via a body punch in the second round.[33]
On 7 March 2020, Helenius squared off against undefeatedAdam Kownacki in a WBA title eliminator. While Kownacki was the heavy favorite, Helenius pulled off a significant upset by stopping Kownacki in the fourth round winning the vacant WBA Gold heavyweight title in the process. The victory lined up Helenius as the mandatory challenger for titlistAnthony Joshua.[34] However, Joshua was alreadyset to fightKubrat Pulev and Kownacki exercised his contractual rematch clause.[35]
According to Helenius' manager, the rematch was postponed several times due to various reasons and ultimately after over a year out of the ring, Helenius returned on 9 October 2021 on the main card ofTyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III, againstAdam Kownacki.[35][36] The bout was stopped after six rounds of dominance by Helenius against a clearly overpowered Kownacki. The former had inflicted his opponent with a swollen left eye, before suffering repeated low blows, which caused Kownacki to be disqualified in the sixth round.[37] After the bout, the result was later changed to a technical knockout victory for Helenius.[38]
Helenius then faced formerWBC heavyweight championDeontay Wilder with the fight scheduled to occur on October 15, 2022, at Brooklyn'sBarclays Center.[39] He lost the bout by first round knockout.[40][41]
On 6 July 2023Dillian Whyte vs. Anthony Joshua II, a rematch of the12 December 2015 bout was announced to be held atThe O2 Arena in London.[42] This was cancelled on 5 August 2023, after Whyte returned a positive drug test conducted by the voluntary anti-doping agency.[43][44] On 8 August 2023, Helenius was announced as the replacement for Whyte, with the bout taking place on the originally scheduled date of August 12, 2023.[45][46][47]Helenius lost the bout by knockout in the 7th round.[48][49][50]
Helenius was given a two-year ban byUK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on 19 July 2024 after failing a drug test following his fight with Anthony Joshua. He tested positive forclomifene, although the boxer denied intentional doping and blamed the consumption of contaminated egg and chicken. The ban was backdated to when he was first provisionally suspended meaning he will be eligible to fight again on 18 September 2025.[51][52][53][54]
After serving the two-year ban, on 20 September 2025, Helenius announced his retirement from boxing in an interview with the Finnish newspaperUusimaa, stating "I've noticed that I can no longer find the inspiration in myself to train hard twice a day." He expressed interest in pursuing a career as head coach of the Nordic Nightmare Boxing Club inPorvoo, Finland. However, he hinted at a possible return to the ring, saying "I'm never saying never. If a really good offer comes in for an interesting match, we'll look at it from that perspective."[55]
Helenius was born inStockholm, Sweden, and he lived in Sweden until the age of two. He holds both Finnish and Swedish citizenship, and has represented Sweden in a few matches after having a dispute with the Finnish boxing association.[56] Helenius is aSwedish-speaking Finn.[57] Today, Helenius lives inLumparland municipality inÅland.[58][59]
| 37 fights | 32 wins | 5 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 21 | 4 |
| By decision | 11 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Loss | 32–5 | Anthony Joshua | KO | 7 (12),1:27 | 12 Aug 2023 | The O2 Arena,London, England | |
| 36 | Win | 32–4 | Mika Mielonen | TKO | 3 (8),1:51 | 5 Aug 2023 | Olavinlinna,Savonlinna, Finland | |
| 35 | Loss | 31–4 | Deontay Wilder | KO | 1 (12),2:57 | 15 Oct 2022 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 31–3 | Adam Kownacki | TKO | 6 (12),2:38 | 9 Oct 2021 | T-Mobile Arena,Paradise, Nevada, US | OriginallyDQ for low blows by Kownacki, later ruled TKO |
| 33 | Win | 30–3 | Adam Kownacki | TKO | 4 (12),1:08 | 7 Mar 2020 | Barclays Center,New York City, New York, US | Won vacantWBA Gold heavyweight title |
| 32 | Win | 29–3 | Mateus Roberto Osorio | TKO | 2 (8),2:02 | 30 Nov 2019 | Vaba Lava,Narva, Estonia | |
| 31 | Loss | 28–3 | Gerald Washington | KO | 8 (10),2:32 | 13 Jul 2019 | Minneapolis Armory,Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 30 | Win | 28–2 | Erkan Teper | KO | 8 (12),3:00 | 29 Sep 2018 | Ritter-Sport-Stadion,Waldenbuch, Germany | Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
| 29 | Win | 27–2 | Yury Bykhautsou | UD | 6 | 11 Aug 2018 | Olavinlinna,Savonlinna, Finland | |
| 28 | Win | 26–2 | Yury Bykhautsou | SD | 8 | 17 Mar 2018 | Rakvere Spordikeskus,Rakvere, Estonia | |
| 27 | Loss | 25–2 | Dillian Whyte | UD | 12 | 28 Oct 2017 | Principality Stadium,Cardiff, Wales | For vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title |
| 26 | Win | 25–1 | Evgeny Orlov | RTD | 6 (10),3:00 | 17 Jun 2017 | Kalev, Tallinn, Estonia | Won vacant WBC International Silver heavyweight title |
| 25 | Win | 24–1 | Gonzalo Basile | TKO | 1 (12),0:48 | 17 Dec 2016 | Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 24 | Win | 23–1 | Konstantin Airich | KO | 1 (8),0:49 | 10 Sep 2016 | Baltichallen,Mariehamn, Finland | |
| 23 | Loss | 22–1 | Johann Duhaupas | KO | 6 (12),3:00 | 2 Apr 2016 | Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland | For vacantWBC Silver heavyweight title |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Franz Rill | UD | 12 | 19 Dec 2015 | Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland | Won vacantIBF International and European heavyweight titles |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Beka Lobjanidze | KO | 3 (8),0:47 | 13 Jun 2015 | Vaasa Arena,Vaasa, Finland | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | András Csomor | TKO | 1 (6),1:02 | 21 Mar 2015 | Tondiraba Ice Hall,Tallinn, Estonia | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Michael Sprott | UD | 10 | 23 Mar 2013 | GETEC Arena,Magdeburg, Germany | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Sherman Williams | UD | 10 | 10 Nov 2012 | Ice Hall, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Derek Chisora | SD | 12 | 3 Dec 2011 | Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland | Retained WBA Inter-Continental and WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight titles; Won vacantEuropean heavyweight title |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Siarhei Liakhovich | TKO | 9 (12),0:19 | 27 Aug 2011 | Messehalle, Erfurt, Germany | Retained WBA Inter-Continental and WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight titles |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Samuel Peter | KO | 9 (12),1:50 | 2 Apr 2011 | Gerry Weber Stadion, Halle, Germany | Retained WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title; Won vacantWBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Attila Levin | TKO | 2 (12),1:20 | 27 Nov 2010 | Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland | Retained European Union heavyweight title; Won vacantWBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Grégory Tony | TKO | 6 (12),0:39 | 21 Aug 2010 | Messehalle,Erfurt, Germany | Won vacantEuropean Union heavyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Gbenga Oloukun | UD | 8 | 26 Mar 2010 | Töölön Kisahalli, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Lamon Brewster | TKO | 8 (10),2:31 | 30 Jan 2010 | Jahnsportforum, Neubrandenburg, Germany | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Taras Bidenko | RTD | 3 (8),3:00 | 7 Nov 2009 | Arena Nürnberger Versicherung,Nuremberg, Germany | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Serdar Uysal | KO | 6 (8),2:37 | 29 Aug 2009 | Gerry Weber Stadion,Halle, Germany | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Scott Gammer | KO | 6 (8),1:52 | 30 May 2009 | Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Özcan Çetinkaya | TKO | 2 (8),1:36 | 9 May 2009 | JAKO Arena, Bamberg, Germany | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Enrico Garmendia | TKO | 1 (6),2:13 | 28 Feb 2009 | Jahnsportforum,Neubrandenburg, Germany | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Remigijus Ziausys | UD | 6 | 28 Nov 2008 | Hartwall Arena,Helsinki, Finland | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Nikola Vujasinovic | UD | 4 | 8 Nov 2008 | JAKO Arena,Bamberg, Germany | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Engin Solmaz | UD | 4 | 5 Sep 2008 | Nöjesfabriken,Karlstad, Sweden | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | David Vicena | UD | 4 | 7 Jun 2008 | Mellringehallen,Örebro, Sweden | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Gene Pukall | TKO | 1 (4),2:41 | 17 May 2008 | Oberfrankenhalle,Bayreuth, Germany |
| Date | Fight | Viewership (avg.) | Network | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2 April 2011 | Robert Helenius vs.Samuel Peter | 2,550,000 | Das Erste | |
27 August 2011 | Robert Helenius vs.Siarhei Liakhovich | 1,910,000 | Das Erste | |
3 December 2011 | Robert Helenius vs. Derek Chisora | 3,160,000 | Das Erste | [60] |
23 March 2013 | Robert Helenius vs.Michael Sprott | 2,080,000 | Das Erste | |
| Total viewership | 18,100,000 |
| Date | Fight | Pay-per-view buys | Network | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15 October 2022 | Deontay Wilder vs. Robert Helenius | 75,000 | Fox Sports | [61] |
| Total sales | 75,000 |
| Sporting positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional boxing titles | ||||
| Vacant Title last held by Francesco Pianeta | European Union heavyweight champion 21 August 2010 – April 2011 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Richard Towers | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Alexander Dimitrenko | WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight champion 27 November 2010 – July 2012 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Tyson Fury | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Denis Boytsov | WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight champion 2 April 2011 – July 2012 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by David Haye | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Alexander Dimitrenko | European heavyweight champion 3 December 2011 – May 2012 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Kubrat Pulev | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Erkan Teperstripped | European heavyweight champion 19 December 2015 – April 2016 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Kubrat Pulev | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Artur Szpilka | IBF International heavyweight champion 19 December 2015 – April 2016 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Franz Rill | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Andriy Rudenko | WBC International Silver heavyweight champion 17 June 2017 – November 2017 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Nathan Gorman | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Carlos Takam | IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight champion 29 September 2018 – March 2020 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Demsey McKean | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Joe Joyce | WBA Gold heavyweight champion 7 March 2020 – October 2022 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Michael Hunter | ||
