When I watched Kownacki get stopped by Helenius I wasn't surprised

It's not what Haymon wanted. In his mind Kownacki developed like one of his stars. Would be a long time before he'll pit them against each other. Marination first baby. Ruiz, Martin, Ortiz, Kownacki, Wilder... With the exception of Martin vs Kownacki, a round robin will still be an interesting proposition. But Haymon would rather pit them against minimal threats. The Helenius choice blew up on his face. I mean why not Ortiz vs Kownacki, Ortiz vs Ruiz, Ortiz vs Martin, Martin vs Ruiz, Martin vs Ortiz, etc. Not anytime soon for uncle Al. A huge cancer in this sport.

He's a fat slob w/ no head movement

The punching bag expression covers a fighter with no defense. Punching bags can have heart but their careers are shortened by too many blows to the head. OK, thanks for an explanation. I thought this expression covers a fighter that only absorbs blows and is unable to fight back.

Ruiz can be as great as he wants to be, he is a warrior. HW boxing is never static (except the Klitschko years), big heavy punching guys can always exceed expectations, their abilities are always underestimated. What made the 80's and 90's great was real fans understood that no matter the hype, you never were sure who was gonna win a lot of those fights. It had to play out. We're almost there again ... I just think he is a bit limited...he's tough though and has some other good attributes for a HW - quick etc.

You are right but you hurt Kownacki with naming him "punching bag" which signifies he only absorbs blows. He can hit and has a great heart as a fighter.The punching bag expression covers a fighter with no defense. Punching bags can have heart but their careers are shortened by too many blows to the head.

You and many others were not surprised? You speaking on behalf of the Secret Never Surprised Club? Lmao. K buddy. LoL, nah youngster, just been around a while. Knew Helenius skills and history ... he's been in a few wars over the years. As I said though, it could have gone either way. Only brash young fans believe there's only one possible outcome in these fights.

Kownacki needs to go back to the drawing board and add some defense to his style. If he comes back with an Archie Moore style cross-guard, or some Joe Frazier style bob-and-weave stuff, he might be able to restart his career. His team is a problem. I remember watching a post fight interview back when he was supposed to contend against Wilder, and he was asked "but what about Wilder's right hand?" and his trainer responded with "he'll walk through the right hand". That's not what the trainer should say. If he dismisses the loss as a fluke, then he's done. He's never going to be "agile", but guys like Foreman and Liston weren't agile either - they just knew how to defend based on their strengths and weaknesses. Very true.

Before he messed up his right arm and wrist against Chisora, Helenius was being touted as possibly the hardest puncher in the HW division. He was out of action for a year recovering from that injury, and in his second come back fight, he broke his right wrist again and was out for another 2 years. He is way over the hill now, but though his general form has declined drastically, he seems to have regained the ability to throw his right hand with full power, as proved by his devastating one punch KO of the durable Erkan Teper. With the benefit of hind-site, Helenius was probably a bad choice of opponent for an easy to hit guy like Kownacki, especially as Adam seemed to view him as an easy touch. Did not know these facts about Helenius. Thanks, mate. Adam neglected this man. I said many great things about his humility towards fans and media, but his lack of humility towards opponents finished him.

the people who use to praise him now slam him to slam Haymon..hilarious

Kownacki needs to go back to the drawing board and add some defense to his style. If he comes back with an Archie Moore style cross-guard, or some Joe Frazier style bob-and-weave stuff, he might be able to restart his career. His team is a problem. I remember watching a post fight interview back when he was supposed to contend against Wilder, and he was asked "but what about Wilder's right hand?" and his trainer responded with "he'll walk through the right hand". That's not what the trainer should say. If he dismisses the loss as a fluke, then he's done. He's never going to be "agile", but guys like Foreman and Liston weren't agile either - they just knew how to defend based on their strengths and weaknesses.

I was surprised at first because: a) I thought Kownacki's chin was superb, top 3 in HW now -- I was wrong; b) I thought Helenius is too weak physically to harm Kownacki -- I was wrong; c) I thought Kownacki wil KO Helenius quickier than Washington -- I was wrong. Later on, after reading many great and OBJECTIVE comments from people who know boxing more than I do, I admit I shouldn't have been so much surprised. Now, I am curious what Kownacki is going to do. He lost a lot but he gave Polish people HOPE, the first hope from prime Golota times. Noone in Poland will curse him for retiring as we know his style isn't the safest one, to say delicately. I know he is a fan of Lennox Lewis and most probably will try to have the rematch and win it convincingly like Lewis did twice. I cannot blame him as he has a great brave heart, but if he lose again he should definitely retire. Before he messed up his right arm and wrist against Chisora, Helenius was being touted as possibly the hardest puncher in the HW division. He was out of action for a year recovering from that injury, and in his second come back fight, he broke his right wrist again and was out for another 2 years. He is way over the hill now, but though his general form has declined drastically, he seems to have regained the ability to throw his right hand with full power, as proved by his devastating one punch KO of the durable Erkan Teper. With the benefit of hind-site, Helenius was probably a bad choice of opponent for an easy to hit guy like Kownacki, especially as Adam seemed to view him as an easy touch.

Yes, there were threads saying he could beat either Joshua or Wilder lol Damn. Don’t know what they were looking at.

I remember it pretty clearly since I was the only guy here who picked Helenius. Pretty easy to notice when you’re alone. Everyone was making fun of Helenius, saying the fight is a complete waste of time and that he was going to get smashed. There wasn’t one person who said anything even close to “he has a chance.” I don't always comment, and many others don't either. Longtime boxing fans know Helenius has always been a tough, well rounded, large fighter. I and many others were not surprised at the result either. It could have gone either way. Kownacki clearly had moments. Against that constant barrage even Helenius will tell you it took a lot to get a few clear shots in there. Helenius skill, patience, and confidence carried him through like the proven veteran he is. But it could have ended differently. He had some good fortune too. Great fight.

Well said Norm, this is basically how I feel about him as well. Ruiz can be as great as he wants to be, he is a warrior. HW boxing is never static (except the Klitschko years), big heavy punching guys can always exceed expectations, their abilities are always underestimated. What made the 80's and 90's great was real fans understood that no matter the hype, you never were sure who was gonna win a lot of those fights. It had to play out. We're almost there again ...

A fan friendly fighter due to his style, but takes way too many punches.

He's a come forward fighter who doesn't move his head. Exciting to watch, but was a matter of time. Bingo :beerchug:

I was a little surprised I guess, but moreso surprised that Washington beat him in the fight before that. I remember thinking that Helenius looked OK, he was boxing decently...like someone said, he seems kinda aloof or something....then I turn my head and he's on his back. I really didn't know what to think of him before the Kownacki fight other than...it's prob the best guy Adam had faced

Kownacki is a human punching bag which means his undefeated record had an expiration date not much further down than line than Milk. The arrogance in his all offence and zero defense approach was just waiting to be exploited. His soul was crying out to be KO'd. You are right but you hurt Kownacki with naming him "punching bag" which signifies he only absorbs blows. He can hit and has a great heart as a fighter.

I think ruiz will stay the same level he has always been fringe top 10 and wont suite do enuff in alot of his bigger fights . Winning some, losing some . He has the potential to be a real threat if he stays in the gym but he couldnt do that when he was hungry and needed money what's his drive going to be like now hes a rich man . I like andy and will route for him but I dont have high Hope's for him ever becoming champ again or making any real noise Well said Norm, this is basically how I feel about him as well.

Helenius is goat Long live Helenius