Johnathon Banks Rumoured To Be In The Running To Face Robert Helenius On Dec. 3rd Card In Finland

By James Slater: As fans know, exciting, promising heavyweight contender Robert Helenuis of Finland is set to fight against a TBA in his homeland on December 3rd. The show will be topped by Alexander Povetkin-Cedric Boswell.

According to promoters Sauerland, there are two “name” opponents in the frame for the Helenuis fight. There has been speculation amongst fans that Helnius might fight anyone from Evander Holyfield to Dereck Chicora (who won a routine six-rounder last night and, intriguingly, told Boxing News in the U.K that he has a “big fight” lined up for December) – but trade paper Boxing News has written how there are rumours going around that say Detroit’s Johnathon Banks’ name has come up as a possibility for the Dec. 3rd bout.

A good fighter who is 7-0-1 as a heavyweight, 29-year-old Banks, 27-1-1(18) overall is best known for his losing challenge of IBF cruiserweight king Tomasz Adamek in February of 2009. Banks lost that one via 8th-round stoppage, but he put the loss down, at least in large part, to making weight. It’s fair to say the one-time Emanuel Steward-guided fighter has blown hot and cold as a heavyweight.

Banks took out the big and dangerous Travis Walker with one punch in March of last year, yet he stunk the place out when he fought again on a Klitschko under-card, this time when boxing a tedious draw with Jason Gavern last May. Last fighting back in September, Banks stopped Ivica Bacurin in the 6th-round. A capable fighter who may or may not haven fallen, at least partially, into sparring partner syndrome (Banks has sparred both Klitschkos a number of times), Banks could give “The Nordic Nightmare” a tricky, testing type of fight.

Fans are taking to 27-year-old Helnius, 16-0(11), and his next fight will attract more fan interest than the Povetkin-Boswell affair. These same fans were/are perhaps hoping for a more marquee opponent than Banks, but if this fight does happen, and if Helenuis can take become the first heavyweight to stop Banks, the Fin will gain more respect. If, however, the fight proves to be a stinker, some of Helelius’ lustre may be lost.

I can certainly see Banks taking Helenius into the later rounds, before the slightly younger man’s power begins to take its toll.