Robert Gabriel Helenius vs. Mika Mielonen & Samuli Kärkkäinen vs. Elia Juusti RBR

...thank goodness for time-sucking anthems!

(cue the chunky granny Elsa)

 

Robert Gabriel Helenius vs. Mika Mielonen, 8 rounds @ heavyweight

 

Round 1

Helenius is moving in on his much shorter & stockier countryman, sinking jabs into his guard and then whipping long uppercuts into his gut. The ref oddly breaks them up for Helenius to hike up his trunks as they were falling a bit low. They swap jabs in ring center, and Helenius dribbles a few short chopping rights hands across Mielonen's nape. Very little clean landed by the older & less experienced fighter, pawing out stubby T-rex jabs and then hurling up rockets with the right that fall well short even with him barreling in and gyrating his shoulder with maximum force. Helenius easily outboxing this geezer without leaving first gear.

10-9 Helenius

 

...tbf most TV production crews aren't experienced lighting medieval castles.

 

Round 2

Helenius is content to let the big lunk plod after him telegraphing and lunging with shots that he can easily dodge with a back-step and counter with pot shot jabs. Helenius showing there is amply daylight between them in class, as expected, and should now begin thinking about making a statement if the goal here is to impress. Mielonen couldn't be any more available to for him to wail on at his discretion, but so far he's being merciful and just playing cat-and-mouse with 90% of his output jabs, and the occasional lateral-moving 1-2. Mielonen showing heart, grazing with some punches but never clipping him square.

10-9 Helenius

20-18 Helenius

 

Round 3

Helenius is starting to put together more shots, as I called for at the conclusion of the second (and had a suspicion his body language was showing might be in the works). Jabs and looping rights on the oncoming Mielonen. Helenius dialing in, finding his rhythm and shot location - and one particular combo really gets sunk in with authority. The jab scores on the nose and the looping right slams into Mielonen's temple, sending him reeling into the corner, rubber-necking and drooling spittle. Ref immediately jumps in to save him from himself.

TKO3!!

 

Robbe lifts the arm of the "Finnish Rocky" and parades him around the ring letting him soak up respectful applause from the crowd. That's class.