By Per Ake Persson
The 'Nordic Nightmare' - heavyweight Robert Helenius (22-1, 13KOs) - held today a press conference at the newly built Nordic Nightmare Gym in Mariehamn (Finland) and talked about various matters with, among others, freelance journalist Juhani Gronberg.
Helenius is in training for a September 10 showdown against German journeyman Konstantin Airich and Johan Lundstrom remains as trainer while Markus Sundman is now the new manager.
Helenius said he missed the big fights but was happy with his boxing again. The fight against Airich is a first step back after the loss to Johan Duhaupas.
Helenius revealed that there had been some talks with Team Sauerland about a rematch against Dereck Chisora, the man Helenius beat late 2011 but injured his shoulder and right arm - and that began a long and troubled layoff with injuries and a contractual dispute with Team Sauerland.
Robert insisted though that the first step is against Airich and a second fight in December against a bigger name.
IN OTHER NEWS: Former unlicensed boxer Paul Hilz (2-2) will be back in action on September 23rd at Grays Civic Hall in Essex to contest for the British Challenge super-middleweight belt following an extended absence from the ring.
The 35-year-old from Basildon will meet the experienced Lewis van Poetsch (4-45) over eight three-minute rounds for the British Challenge super-middleweight honours on a Carl Greaves Promotions show in his home county of Essex.
It will be Hilz’s second crack at the strap, previously falling short in a narrow points loss to Scott Douglas (2-3-2) in December 2015 – his last outing in the square ring.
“Same thing that I fought before,” stated Hilz. “I’m really grateful that Carl [Greaves] got me another shot at it and I’ll pay him and my trainer Kevin Lilley back with a win on the night.”
The previous bout provided the six-foot-tall 168-pounder with his second eight-round contest, also doubling up as his maiden title fight with the very same belt on the line.
