Matchroom Boxing has officially announced the date and opponent for Dillian Whyte.
‘The Body Snatcher’ will face ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ from Finland, Robert Helenius for the WBC Silver Heavyweight title in Cardiff on October 28th.
“It’s been a very frustrating few months trying to get someone to fight me. I thank Robert for stepping up and in two weeks’ time we will fight for the WBC Silver title in Cardiff. I love to fight and I’m looking forward to being back in the ring, getting the victory and moving on to challenge for the World Heavyweight title,” said Whyte in a press release.
Helenius was scheduled to fight Derek Chisora earlier in May this year but the fight never happened. The Finn is pleased to get another opportunity on a big stage this year.
“This is a huge fight and I’m excited about fighting the winner of last December’s thriller between Whyte and Chisora. Chisora and I were scheduled to fight in May but he ran. To my understanding, Dillian is not a runner and he will stand and fight. This is a big fight for the Heavyweight division and may the best man win,” commented Helenius.
But the fight did not happen without a bit of behind the scenes problems.
Matchroom has been trying to put this fight together for a while now.
It was reported that Helenius initially turned down multiple offers from Eddie Hearn, but the promoter told exclusively to Boxing Social that he wasn’t done trying even though there was very little time.
“We gave them multiple offers but apparently they want to fight in November or December. Helenius is a fight that we wanted for Dillian. I think Helenius fights a good fight. I’d still like to try and make that fight but we are running out of time,” said Hearn on Wednesday at the Groves-Cox press conference.
Luckily the effort paid off for Hearn and the Finn will come to the UK to box against the Londoner.
“This is a fight we have been working on for some time and I’m pleased to add it to the huge October 28 show in Cardiff. Helenius is a giant of a man with plenty of experience and this is a tough test for Dillian, it’s going to be explosive,” said Hearn according to a press release.
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