Robert Helenius already said he was going to quit, but still decided to continue. The boxer wrestles with a completely understandable issue, writes Urheilu’s Joel Holma.
Joel HolmaSports journalist
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About Deontay Wilder Mika Mielosen. The first mentioned is that of a heavyweight boxer of Robert Helenius previous opponent, second to come.
The level difference between the opponents is unimaginably large.
From heavyweight world champion, top-fit world star to a 41-year-old CEO of a Finnish security company who has been boxing for two years.
Helenius vs. Mielonen. The situation is almost the same when a car guy who regularly gasses up in a cottage field goes out to challenge Kalle Rovanperän on the gravel of Central Finland. The seam is hidden if Rovanperä’s car breaks down.
It starts to make me laugh a little when I think of Helenius watching Mielonen’s previous matches on videotape of his coach Johan Lindström with. Mielonen has fought as a professional six times and won all of them.
In reality, Helenius is training at home in Åland in peace, eating Lindström’s soups and knocking out Mielonen in Savonlinna on August 5th in the first round, if he wants to. Maybe the match lasts longer to keep the crowd entertained.
The setting is funny: how does a street guy fare against a successful boxer? Mielonen is really brave when he jumps into the ring. Some would say crazy.
Helenius, 39, has an extremely brutal defeat below.
The Finnish boxer lost to Wilder in a top fight in New York in October. Helenius, who entered the match as an underdog, was knocked out in the first round, but his paycheck increased by an estimated million. With a win, the door to the World Cup match would probably have opened.
Former Finnish striker Amin’s Customer said after the match In an interview with Iltalehtithat now would be a good time for Helenius to throw down the gloves.
Several hours after the match, Helenius met Wilder, the two hugged and the Finn told the Yankee star that he was quitting.
– That was it. I am 38 years old and have been boxing for 25 years. Sorry I couldn’t do better.
This sums up a lot: 25 years.
During that time, Helenius has risen to the top, knocked down former world champions, been at the bottom, climbed back to the top, hit the sack in huge numbers, trained, fought, won, lost.
35 pro fights, 31 wins. Before that, 144 matches as an amateur, including 105 wins.
Helenius reached the top level in the legendary sport. There will hardly ever be another person from Finland who can do something similar in this weight class.
The Helenius–Mielonen match is about how difficult it can be to end a sports career. It has become clear in the heavyweight division over time, where you can be at your peak at the age of 40. Here are just a few examples.
George Foreman quit, returned to the ring and wrestled until he was almost 50 years old.
Evander Holyfield quit, returned to the ring and wrestled until he was almost 50 years old.
Larry Holmes quit, returned to the ring and fought until he was over 50 years old.
Rocky Marciano quit in his early thirties, but later revealed that he was seriously considering a comeback.
Quitting is rarely easy, at least in heavyweight boxing, where the kicks that come from winning are known to be quite large.
Helenius is also still chasing them against Mielo. Ring walk, audience screams, knockout and the referee raises his hand in the air.
Should Helenius stop? If he himself wants to and has the enthusiasm, then there is a reason to continue. Even against a clearly weaker team. Mielonen comes to the ring voluntarily.
Helenius does sports for himself. That’s good to remember if you’re going to criticize his possible next matches.
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