Finnish professional boxer “The Nordic Nightmare,” Robert Helenius, plies his trade in the heavyweight division of professional boxing. Born on January 2, 1984, in Stockholm, Sweden, Helenius has built a reputation as an extremely hard-hitting fighter inside the squared circle and has always been one tough survivor in the ring.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Since turning pro in 2008, Helenius had started his career with a streak of wins. At 6 feet 6 inches tall and with a fearsome knockout punch, he is an intimidating figure inside the ring. The giant Finnish boxer has recorded big wins against former world champions during his career.
Recent Fights and Notable Performances
In October 2022, Helenius faced off against former WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder in Brooklyn, New York. He was defeated by Wilder via a first-round knockout to take his record to 42-2-1 (42 KOs).
He was replaced in August 2023 by Helenius, who took the fight on short notice against Anthony Joshua at London’s O2 Arena. Very well, Helenius fought, but he was stopped in the seventh round by Joshua.
Controversy over Doping and Suspension
The big blow for Helenius came after his fight against Joshua. He was found positive for clomifene, a drug banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which meant he received a ban from professional boxing for two years. Helenius reasoned that the substance had been present in his body owing to eggs and chicken meat consumption, but he could not produce enough evidence to substantiate his claim.
He has an UK Anti-Doping ban imposed on him, running from 18th September 2023 until 17th September 2025.
Public Perception and Future Prospects
Indeed, Helenius has had his share of very worthy victories, besides controversies too, within his career. And this current doping case certainly has its bearing on the standing within the boxing fraternity. Now, out of action due to a ban, one would wonder if he can successfully get into the ring once the ban is lifted.
Fan and Media Involvement
Helenius is quite active on these platforms, if not as much as the rest, at least for somebody like him. A YouTube account with highlight reels of almost all his fights is available along with fight interviews. Many such fights against big opponents like Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua have been immensely popular and could even be looked upon online for highlights, at least.
Conclusion
The professional career of Robert Helenius has seen a lot of ups and downs. While his just-issued suspension presents somewhat of an obstacle, Helenius had enjoyed a respectable career leading up to 2012 and may re-emerge as a prospect later down the line as well.
FAQ About Robert Helenius
Who is Robert Helenius?
Robert Helenius is a Finnish professional heavyweight boxer. He is also known as “The Nordic Nightmare.” Lanky and with punch power, he has seen the most notorious names from within the boxing circle.
Where and when was Robert Helenius born?
He was born in Stockholm, Sweden on 2nd January 1984 and represents Finland in his professional boxing career.
What are some of the major achievements by Robert Helenius?
Helenius has beat former world champions and contenders to establish himself as amongst the leading heavyweights and has had some of the biggest fights against Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
What happened to Anthony Joshua during his bout?
That was eventually the case when Helenius came in as a late replacement to take on Joshua in London’s O2 Arena this past August, fighting good before being knocked out by Joshua in the seventh round.
What height does Robert Helenius belong to?
He stands tall at 6 feet 6 inches, which is in itself a plus factor inside the ring.