Did Robert Helenius have unrealized potential ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mr. magoo, Aug 3, 2025 at 5:29 PM.


  1. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

    50,812
    24,512
    Jan 3, 2007
    I remember years ago when he was seen as a hot prospect. Max Kellerman spoke fondly of him. Then came the controversial gift decision over Derek Chisora and Helenius’s career began spiraling downward . He also took some time off due to injuries if I recall correctly. Should he have been better ?
     
    mr. magoo, Aug 3, 2025 at 5:29 PM
    mr. magoo, Aug 3, 2025 at 5:29 PM
    #1
    ideafix12, catchwtboxing and swagdelfadeel like this.
  2. Boxing GOAT

    Boxing GOAT Active Member Full Member

    721
    1,102
    Apr 2, 2020
    No. His career got resuscitated with his win over Kownacki and his abysmal performance against Wilder. His skills were always very basic. He was a big strong HW with a punchers chance.
     
    Boxing GOAT, Aug 3, 2025 at 5:56 PM
    Boxing GOAT, Aug 3, 2025 at 5:56 PM
    #2
    Dorrian_Grey, MaccaveliMacc, Greg Price99 and 2 others like this.
  3. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    15,804
    11,386
    Sep 21, 2017
    He's the type that would have been prey for Joe Louis
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Aug 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Aug 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
    #3
  4. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    60,831
    44,875
    Feb 11, 2005
    Can't imagine it was easy to build a career out of Finland. He had the goods. Big, decent movement for his size, good timing, strong punch. Not sure who else Johan Lindstrom guided to any success but would guess that a myriad of US trainers would have gotten him further.
     
    Seamus, Aug 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
    Seamus, Aug 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
    #4
    mr. magoo and Journeyman92 like this.
  5. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Barrios is a bandit robber - Psalm 144:1 Full Member

    18,501
    20,481
    Sep 22, 2021
    Aye, he had the material not the means bit like Cleveland Williams…
     
    Journeyman92, Aug 3, 2025 at 6:19 PM
    Journeyman92, Aug 3, 2025 at 6:19 PM
    #5
    mr. magoo likes this.
  6. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

    30,125
    5,652
    Oct 5, 2009
    He got derailed by injuries and had a long break I'm sure he could have been better

    He did get KO'd a few times which leads me to believe he wouldn't make it at the top level but may have been an interesting challenge to a belt holder closer to his prime
     
    KO KIDD, Aug 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
    KO KIDD, Aug 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
    #6
    MaccaveliMacc, mr. magoo and Bigcheese like this.
  7. Bigcheese

    Bigcheese Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,883
    2,434
    Jun 7, 2015
    He probably could have been better without the injuries but only marginally.

    He's not some big "what if?" scenario.
     
    Bigcheese, Aug 3, 2025 at 7:39 PM
    Bigcheese, Aug 3, 2025 at 7:39 PM
    #7
  8. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    27,012
    35,885
    Jul 4, 2014
    Yes. If I remember this all correctly...

    He had a chronic right-hand injury, and going into the Chisora match, he had a shoulder tear. His promotor basically forced him to go through with the fight, and the shoulder was never the same again, and would-not be even serviceable for years. I THINK he also re-broke the hand in that fight.

    Somewhere along the line, he also took a terrible shot to the throat that semi-permanently damaged his vocal cords. There are old interviews of him talking like some kind of monster.

    Sugar-Bob Helenius may not have been a world-beater, but he came along at just the right right time, when the Klits needed opponents. Had he been allowed to rest that shoulder and hand, he would have contended for a title....and lost. But hey, it would have been something.
     
    catchwtboxing, Aug 3, 2025 at 9:20 PM
    catchwtboxing, Aug 3, 2025 at 9:20 PM
    #8
    KO KIDD, swagdelfadeel and MaccaveliMacc like this.
  9. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,488
    3,065
    Feb 17, 2008
    He looked his best in the Brewster fight. But there was not any improvement after that.
     
    zadfrak, Aug 4, 2025 at 2:04 AM
    zadfrak, Aug 4, 2025 at 2:04 AM
    #9
  10. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

    16,095
    15,031
    Jun 9, 2007
    In all honesty I believe he didn’t reach full potential because he just didn't have the mental strength required
     
    robert ungurean, Aug 4, 2025 at 4:31 AM
    robert ungurean, Aug 4, 2025 at 4:31 AM
    #10
  11. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,482
    27,005
    Feb 15, 2006
    I am going to go with maybe.

    He was not just a puncher but a finisher, and there was a time when he looked very exciting.
     
    janitor, Aug 4, 2025 at 4:36 AM
    janitor, Aug 4, 2025 at 4:36 AM
    #11