Adam Kownacki dominated most of his opponents but he could be hit. That cost him dearly on Saturday.
Robert Helenius, a seemingly faded but still powerful fringe contender, put Kownacki down with a right-left combination and then followed with a hellacious flurry of hard shots that forced referee David Fields to end the title eliminator in the fourth round at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, Kownacki’s home town.
The result was shocking given Kownacki’s previous success, as he had overwhelmed one opponent after another with his relentless aggression en route to a perfect record coming into Saturday’s fight.
However, the native of Poland learned the hard way that such a style – combined with limited defensive skills – can lead to your demise.
Kownacki (20-1, 15 KOs) fought typically well for three-plus rounds, attacking Helenius (30-3, 19 KOs) with purpose and landing more punches than the taller (6-foot-6½) Finn. He seemed to be on track to another impressive victory.
We might’ve seen a clue of what was to come in Round 2, when Helenius, proving he wasn’t there to roll over, rocked Kownacki with a few punches in wildly entertaining exchanges. Kownacki actually took a step backward at one moment, which was a strange sight.
The end came swiftly in Round 4. Helenius landed a hard right hand during a violent exchange in one corner that knocked Kownacki to one knee. Fields ruled it a slip but replays showed that it was a knockdown. And Kownacki was hurt.
Moments later Helenius landed his big right-left and down went Kownacki onto his back. He got up fairly easily but couldn’t adequately defend himself as Helenius unloaded what seemed to be dozens of hard, accurate shots that gave Fields no choice but to end matters before thousands of Kownacki’s disappointed fans.
The official end came at 1:08 of Round 4.
Helenius, a former contender hoping to make a strong statement at 36 years old, thrust his arms in the air in triumph. He instantly became a significant player once again in the sport’s glamour division, meaning big paydays could lie ahead.
That’s remarkable given that he was stopped in two rounds by another fringe contender, Gerald Washington, only two fights earlier.
Kownacki, dazed and confused, was left to wonder what hit him. He’s still young, only 30, and determined. He’ll probably bounce back. But this one hurts. Gone is his perfect record. And gone is any chance of a major championship fight anytime soon.
That’s the heavyweight division.