Robert Helenius’s second bout with Adam Kownacki began the way their first one ended – with Helenius bouncing punches off of Kownacki’s bald head. Their first fight, in March 2020, ended with an upset knockout for Helenius, who was supposed to serve as a steppingstone for Kownacki, then a rising prospect.
And the rematch ended with Helenius pounding Kownacki into something approaching submission. Helenius landed right hands and left jabs, snapping Kownacki’s head back, and swelling his eyes. Kownacki could only respond with low blows, one of which prompted referee Celestino Ruiz to stop the lopsided fight and award it to Helenius, a 37-year-old from Finland.
