Polish heavyweight contender Adam Kownacki will headline a trio of heavyweight fights March 7 on Fox at Barclays Center in his hometown of Brooklyn, it was announced yesterday by Premier Boxing Champions.
Kownacki, who has been a decent draw in recent years, will face Robert Helenius in a matchup that will not likely titillate boxing’s hardcore fan base. But should Kownacki defeat Helenius as expected, he said he will pursue the winner of the Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury rematch on Feb. 22. Kownacki is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Chris Arreola last August.
“It’s great to be fighting in Barclays Center for the 10th time,” Kownacki said. “The last nine bouts ended in victory for me, and March 7 won’t be any different.… I know Helenius will be looking to pull an upset and take my place in the rankings, but I won’t let that happen. I’m already in camp with my trainers Keith Trimble and Chris Carlsen getting ready. After this fight, I want the winner of Wilder vs. Fury II.”
Initially, there was speculation that Kownacki would face Dominic Breazeale, but that fight never materialized.
The 36-year-old Helenius (29-3, 18 KOs) is 2-1 in his last three fights, including a stoppage loss to Gerald Washington in July 2019. The Finn also lost to contenders Dillian Whyte and Johann Duhaupas.
“This is the fight I have been waiting for,” Helenius said. “All of the years of training and fighting will pay off when we fight on March 7. Kownacki is about to feel the strength of Thor’s hammer. I respect him for taking this fight, but he chose the wrong opponent. This is not going to be a fight; it’s going to be a war. I will be the last man standing.”
On the undercard, hard hitting Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba (12-0, 10 KOs) will fight in a 10-round bout. His opponent hasn’t been selected. The 25-year-old is coming off a thrilling donnybrook against Iago Kiladze in which both fighters tasted the canvas before Ajagba earned a fifth-round stoppage.
Also, undefeated Cuban heavyweight Frank Sanchez (14-0, 11 KOs) will take on Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko (29-7-4, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout.