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Home favourite Helenius takes his unbeaten record to 17 fights, while Chisora — who lost the British and Commonwealth titles to Tyson Fury in July — must contemplate his next move after suffering a second defeat in three bouts.
A visibly pumped up Chisora, 27, began the brighter of the two, regularly backing up Helenius with clusters of punches. Indeed, the pace at which he was going about his business clearly did not sit well with his more patient opponent, Chisora pouring forward and unloading whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Chisora continued to set a frenetic pace in the second, though at times his eagerness played into Helenius’ hands as he found himself on the receiving end of some stiff uppercuts, although smarter footwork and head movement ensured he out-manoeuvred his opponent in the third.
As the fight progressed a similar pattern emerged: as one went on the back foot the other came forward and applied the pressure. Each man had his moments, and as Chisora’s work-rate slowed at sporadic times during the clash, Helenius took advantage by delivering crisp uppercuts at close quarters.
Both fighters were blowing in the closing stages, though neither refused to yield. Searching for a grandstand finish, Chisora ploughed forward but it was Helenius who rocked the Brit with a big left hook in the final round. Both men looked out on their feet at the end, with neither celebrating as though victory was guaranteed, but the decision went to Helenius, who can add his triumph to a CV which contains impressive victories over former world champions Siarhei Liakhovich, Samuel Peter and Lamon Brewster.
On the undercard, Alexander Povetkin made a successful first defence of his WBA heavyweight title, knocking out veteran Cedric Boswell in the eighth round to keep his unblemished record intact.
Povetkin, who won gold at the 2004 Olympics, started slowly before slipping through the gears in the sixth. He clipped his 42-year-old opponent at the end of the round and from then on the fight was only going one way — Povektin discarding his patient approach and showing everyone the power he possesses.—ESPN.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi