By Elliot Foster
Dillian Whyte pushed towards a fight for the world title with a comprehensive victory over Robert Helenius.
The Brixton heavyweight unravelled ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ after an unusual start at the Principality Stadium.
Whyte, who lost to Anthony Joshua back in December 2015, took some huge shots from Helenius in the early stages in Cardiff as the co-featured bout to Anthony Joshua's defense of the WBA, IBO, IBF titles against Carlos Takam.
But he quickly warmed in to the fight and took everything away from 33-year-old former two-time European champ Helenius –– who had been sparring Joshua in the lead up to his latest world title defence –– and a victory, courtesy of a unanimous decision on the Sky Sports Box Office live broadcast, earned the ex-British king the vacant WBC Silver crown, which will boost his rankings with the WBC.
A shot at Deontay Wilder, who looks to retain his crown in a rematch against Bermane Stiverne on November 4 at the Barclays Center in New York, beckons for ‘The Body Snatcher’, who has longed for a big opportunity to showcase his skills on the big stage at 29 years old.
Whyte won nearly every round against a lethargic Helenius, who looked to have suffered an undisclosed injury to his right arm, elbow or hand, and came out victorious on all three judges’ cards by margins of 119-109, 119-109 and 118-110.
Promoter Eddie Hearn is keen to throw Whyte in with the WBC champion in the sport’s premier division in the New Year, with February 3 reserved at the O2 Arena in London for the clash.
"If Deontay Wilder will travel, there's a fight to be made on February 3 in London," said Hearn of his plans for Whyte.