Exciting news for Robert Helenius (18-0, 11 KOs) and Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9
KOs). Both top heavyweight contenders currently hold the number one spot in
their respective rankings.
After beating former world champions Lamon Brewster, Samuel Peter and
Siarhei Liakhovich, the WBO (World Boxing Organization) already instated
Helenius as their number one fighter back in September of last year.
However, after the fight for the European Championship against Dereck
Chisora in December 2011, the Finn had to take a longer break due to a
serious shoulder injury. On November 10, Helenius gave his successful
comeback in Helsinki. After ten rounds, the “Nordic Nightmare” won a
unanimous points decision against Sherman “The Tank” Williams – the WBO’s
previous number ten. In their latest Rankings, 28-year-old Helenius is back
as the number one ranked boxer.
Kubrat Pulev has also been enjoying some very successful months. The prodigy
of coach Otto Ramin first laced his gloves as a professional back in
September of 2009. In his debut fight as a pro, he beat Romanian Florian
Benche on points. Since then, the 31-year-old has won every single one of
his 17 fights and boasts a perfect record. The big break came this year
after beating Alexander Dimitrenko to claim the European Championship on Mai
5 in Erfurt, Germany. Another victory followed on September 29, when the
Bulgarian took on the 140-Kilo colossus Alexander Ustinov in Hamburg. Hence,
the move up to first place of the official IBF (International Boxing
Federation) rankings was just a matter of time.
The current WBO and IBF Champion is Wladimir Klitschko. The Ukrainian also
holds the WBA (World Boxing Association) Super Champion status. The regular
WBA Champion is Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17 Kos), who is signed to Team
Sauerland just like Helenius and Pulev. “The hunt for Wladimir Klitschko is
on. First, he will have to face mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin.
Once that fight has happened, we will see if Klitschko is still the
champion,” said a confident Kalle Sauerland. “We already have one
heavyweight world champion in Povetkin. With Robert Helenius and Kubrat
Pulev we have two more fighters who capable of taking the belts of
Klitschko. Added to that, we also have 24-year-old heavyweight hopeful
Edmund Gerber in our ranks. But before we can start thinking of anything
else, Klitschko has to face Povetkin.”
