Two wins over Adam Kownacki might lead Robert Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs) to a world heavyweight title fight. Such a decision could soon be made by the WBA management, elevating the Finnish giant to mandatory challenger status.
"The Northern Nightmare" was almost on the verge of ending his career when he was offered to fight the Pole for the first time. He unexpectedly stopped Kownacki in the fourth round before the closing masses on March 7, 2020. The rematch took place two weeks ago, and again Helenius scored an early victory, this time after a one-sided fight and Kornacki's refusal to continue the encounter.
Now Marcus Sundman, Robert's manager, is demanding that World Boxing Association officials appoint his boxer as the mandatory challenger for the winner of the Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) vs Alexander Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) rematch. That bout is tentatively scheduled to take place at the turn of March and April next year.
"Robert has won two qualifying fights against Kovnatsky. Does any other boxer deserve this chance more than he does? Manuel Charr, Trevor Bryan, Daniel Dubois, do they really deserve more than we do? I don't think so. We will do everything in our power to be a must-win contender for the Usyk-Joshua rematch," Sundman said.
However, it is worth noting that currently there is another fighter who has a successful WBA title eliminator under his belt and that is Michael Hunter (20-1-1, 14 KOs) of US. So along with mandatory challenger status, Helenius could also be offered a "definitive" elimination bout with Hunter.
