PROSPECT WATCH: ROBERT HELENIUS STEPPING UP IN TENTH PRO FIGHT

Press Release: Heavyweight hopeful Robert Helenius (9-0, 5 KOs) will face the toughest test of his career on November 7th when he takes on Taras Bidenko (26-3, 12 KOs) on the Valuev-Haye undercard in Nuremberg. After stopping Scott Gammer in Helsinki last May, the "Nordic Nightmare" is eager to prove his class against another top opponent in his tenth pro fight. “Bidenko is technically very strong,” Helenius said. “This is without a doubt the biggest challenge of my young career but I am ready for him. I want to keep improving. I am a strong puncher and also have size advantages so I am very confident of success. I want to be world champion one day, so I need to fight strong people, and this is another great test for me.”

Helenius last fought on August 29th when he knocked out Serdar Uysal in Germany. “I continued training the Monday after the fight,” Helenius said. “You have to be in top shape all the time. I have been with Ulli Wegner for 18 months now and I really enjoy working with him. He has taught me a lot of great things and I will show that in the ring against Bidenko. He has the chance to bounce back following his loss against Denis Boytsov, but a win over such a well-known opponent will further raise my international profile. So there is a lot at stake for both of us.” On a sidenote, the Nordic Nightmare most recently received another boost when his beloved Sandra gave birth to their second child, Kingston Kane, in September. “That was a great feeling and has given me a lot of additional energy in practice,” Helenius added.