Heavyweight boxer Robert Helenius39, had the biggest match of his career in Brooklyn, New York on October 15, 2022.
The opponent was the American who held the WBC title belt from 2015–20 Deontay Wilder. Last fall, for example, he was ranked as the world’s second best active heavyweight fighter in the prestigious magazine The Ring.
A hard and surprising rise to the ranks of the big names Adam Kownacki Helenius, who made it with his victories, was paved the way even for title matches, if he could have surprised Wilder.
Known for his punching power, Wilder knocked out Helenius bluntly and dramatically already in the first round.
Read more: Robert Helenius was knocked out in the opening round, sent greetings from the hospital – see the wild pictures of how Deontay Wilder hit the Finnish canvas
There were emotional moments after the match. Wilder, who broke down in tears at the press conference, said he was worried about his friend’s health.
An experienced boxing trainer Pekka Mäken thought the loss made a big dent in Helenius’ market value. After the match, an emotional video went viral on YouTube, when Wilder was at the hotel meeting Helenius when he came home from the hospital.
– I have to say, I’m out. I’m 38 years old, I’ve been doing this for 25 years. Thank you for giving me such a chance, Helenius stated before the two shared a long hug.
Read more: Wilder was opposite Helenius, who had just come from the hospital: “I’m out,” says the Finn in an emotional video – the manager told
Later, Helenius commented on the continuation of his career more moderately. He hasn’t been in the public eye much since the autumn knockout.
Helenius now publicly reported his knockout loss
On Monday, Helenius was a guest on Ylen’s Efter Nio program, where the brain was discussed.
Helenius said that his health is good and he has continued his training. He said that he continued training immediately after the match.
– Training keeps the psyche relatively stable when such a fall occurs.
Although Wilder’s decisive punch came from a bad position, it had power. Helenius just moved forward in the situation because Wilder pulled back, which had taken Helenius by surprise.
Helenius was asked in the program what he remembers about the attack.
– It’s interesting, because I don’t remember leaving the ring. I remember being refreshed in the ambulance and asking how the match went.
Helenius doesn’t remember anything before that, even though he had been in the dressing room for an hour after the defeat.
– There were doctors who examined and followed me. The coach was worried because I didn’t recognize him or the others who were there. It was scary when I passed out in the ambulance.
Helenius laughed in the program that being knocked out doesn’t really feel like anything, because it’s a “maddle anesthesia”.
Helenius has been knocked out three times. He said that he promised when he was young that he would quit if he was knocked out three times.
– I want there to be life even after boxing.
Now, however, he has not yet made a decision about continuing his career.
“The brain is fine”
In connection with martial arts, we talk about brain health. Wilder pondered in his emotional press conference that “who will bear the responsibility if Robert can no longer bring bread to the table or take care of his children”. Wilder brought up the American of Prichard Colonwho suffered a severe brain injury in 2015.
Helenius does not believe that he suffered any permanent injuries.
– At least once a year I go for a magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Always before a match and especially after a knockout.
Magnetic resonance imaging checks that there is no bleeding in the brain. Helenius’ brain has been monitored since he was 18 years old.
– No change for the worse has been observed. The brain is fine.
Helenius has had enough arm, leg and nose injuries as well as surgery. He once had a broken cartilage in his neck that paralyzed his vocal cords – their rehabilitation took a long time, 8–9 months.
“The first time is the worst”
Helenius was knocked out in the ring for the first time in his professional career in 2016, when Johann Duhaupas won in Helsinki. It was also the first loss of Helenius’ career.
– The first time is the worst. At least for me it was, and not everyone gets over it.
After his first knockout loss, Helenius was depressed for half a year, and he didn’t like to go out to people. However, Helenius says that he enjoys himself in his own circumstances, at his training camps or with his dog.
– I’m used to working on things myself.
Helenius was not doing well after the Wilder defeat. The match had been postponed and Helenius had managed to hold three training camps. A year had passed since the Kownacki victory before the Wilder encounter.
– It wouldn’t have been as bad in the 7th set, because then I would have already been able to show my skills. The opponent had practiced that precise strike well.
However, as mentioned, the first knockout loss was worse. Now Helenius knew how to get over his bad mood, i.e. especially by training and pushing himself physically.
– The age is almost 40, so now we should put the last bangs in the game. I don’t know yet, returned Helenius to the question about the continuation of his professional career.
What do you do when you’re not boxing?
– Boxing is not the whole life. I have children too. There are jobs.
You can watch the entire Efter Nio episode below. In addition to Robert Helenius, the interview includes, among others, an entrepreneur, media personality and personal trainer Piia Korisevawho has survived a cerebral infarction.