Unbeaten WBO Intercontinental heavyweight champion Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KOs) says his time is now. “I am ready for the Klitschkos,” proclaims the 6’6 star of the Sauerland stable. Helenius returns December 3 against an opponent to be named in Helsinki, Finland. According to his promoter, negotiations are ongoing with “two top people” and ‘Mister X’ will be announced in the coming days. “For me, it’s no problem,” says Helinius. “I just need a couple of weeks to adjust myself for each opponent.” Helinius has KO’d three former heavyweight champions and has stopped ten of his last eleven opponents.

 

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/helenius-targets-klitschko-101097

 

WBO, WBC & WBA Female Welterweight Champion Cecilia Braekhus (18-0, 4 KOs) will take on Hawaiian Kuulei Kupihea (7-1, 2 KOs) at Helsinki´s renowned Hartwall Areena on December 3. The fight was originally scheduled to take place on Team Sauerland´s big show in Copenhagen´s PARKEN Stadium on November 5, but the event was postponed after Danish national hero Mikkel Kessler suffered a hand injury in practice. “Unfortunately, injuries and postponements are part of the game,” Braekhus said. “As a professional, you just have to deal with it. I adjusted my training, took a few days off and then got straight back to the gym. I will be ready for Kupihea on December 3.”

Ulli Wegner, eight-time German coach of the year, is pleased with the First Lady´s progress. “She is the best female boxer in the world,” he stated. “She is intelligent, good-looking and extremely talented. My other boxers can learn a lot from her, especially when it comes down to determination in practice. I am sure she will make another great fight in Helsinki.”

It will be Braekhus´ second fight in the Finnish capital. In May 2009, she defeated Amy Yuratovic on points. Said promoter Kalle Sauerland: “It is no secret that Team Sauerland is focusing heavily on the Scandinavian market and a big show in Helsinki is further proof.”

Also in Helsinki, World Boxing Association (WBA) Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin (22-0, 15 KOs) will defend his title against Cedric Boswell (35-1, 26 KOs), while hometown hero Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KOs) will defend his WBA & World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental Titles against an opponent to be announced. Tickets will be available at www.lippu.fi starting November 1.

 

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/10/cecilia-braekhus-vs-kuulei-kupihea-on-dec-3rd/

A fight between Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KO’s) and unbeaten WBO Intercontinental heavyweight champion Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KO’s) is rumored to be in the works for the December 3rd undercard of the title fight between WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin and 42-year-old challenger Cedric Boswell in Helsinki, Finland.

The Helenius-Dimitrenko fight would be perfect for the card, as Helenius comes from nearby Sweden and he can pull in fans from there as well as Finland. The fight card certainly needs something to attract interest from fans because the fight between Povetkin and his number #14 ranked contender Boswell is a hopeless mismatch and no one is even remotely interested in seeing this title milking fight for Povetkin.

Helenius, 27, is ranked #1 WBO, #3 WBA, #3 IBF and #8 WBC, is considered one of the best contenders in the division as of now. He could have gotten a title shot against one of the Klitschko brothers but he and his management feels he needs a little more time before he’s thrown out there with the much better skilled Klitschkos.

Putting Helenius in with Dimitrenko would be a great transition fight for him, though, because Dimitrenko has a style very similar to Wladimir, albeit without the handspeed, power or the crushing jab. In part it would give Helenius an idea of what he’ll be up against when and if he ever faces Wladimir.

Dimitrenko is tall at 6’7″, and this would be a fight where the 6’6 1/2″ Helenius would be facing someone bigger than him for the first time in his career. It’s a risk for him because he’s been able to dominate at a distance against shorter foes and he won’t be able to do this with Dimitrenko, who has a four inch reach advantage over the big Swede. Helenius has the much better power, but he mostly throws with big power in close. If Dimitrenko keeps the fight to the outside this could be a very difficult fight for Helenius to win.

By Eric Thomas:
http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/10/helenius-vs-dimitrenko-a-possibility-for-povetkin-boswell-undercard-on-december-3rd/