By Alexey Sukachev

Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland - Dereck Chisora (16-2, 9KOs) put on the performance of his career, but still lost a shocking twelve round split decision to undefeated rising superstar Robert Helenius (17-0, 11KOs). Helenius wins the vacant EBU heavyweight title. The scores were 115-113 for Helenius, 115-113 for Chisora and 115-113 for Helenius.

With his performance, Chisora redeemed his reputation for a points loss to Tyson Fury, where Chisora was out of shape and lethargic with most of his punches. Chisora appeared to outwork and outland Helenius in nearly every round. The broadcasters on EPIX, including trainer Freddie Roach, had Chisora well ahead on the cards - with a score of 118-110.

Chisora came out faster than usual and started pushing Helenius back. Helenius kept his cool and waited for openings to counter. In the second, Helenius started working the jab and using that punch as a range finder for bigger shots. Chisora continued to come forward and targeted the body of Helenius on the inside. Chisora continued his body work in the third, but Helenius starting pumping a long jab to create some distance.

Chisora continued to push the issue and move forward with hard punches in the fourth. Helenius more defensive and looked to have some trouble with Chisora's imposing style. In the final minute of round six, Helenius stood his ground and made it a war. Both boxers unloading with big punches at close range until the bell.

Helenius started coming forward in the seventh as Chisora began to step back. Chisora continued to come forward and the two of them were trading in spurts. Chisora digging back to the body in the eight, with Helenius landing some good punches to the head. Chisora was like an incoming train who would stop coming and wouldn't stop throwing big punches.

Helenius back to coming forward in the ninth. Chisora was taunting him and going back to the body and landing big right hand to the head. The bodyshots of Chisora started paying off in the tenth. Helenius looked a little tired and his punches were losing their steam. Helenius sucked it up in the final minute and started throwing some big shots to make something happen. Chisora fired right back in the final ten seconds.

A close eleventh, with Helenius still pouring forward with punches thrown by both hands. Chisora came out very fast in the twelfth and started throwing combinations to the head and body. Helenius was looking for something big, with counters as Chisora came inside. Both fighters started trading some very big punches on the inside. Both fighters looked very tired in the final ten seconds, but no surprise there with the fast pace of the fight.