Robert Helenius vs. Samuel Peter
Robert Helenius 239 lbs beat Samuel Peter 260 lbs by KO at 1:50 in round 9 of 12
- Date: 2011-04-02
- Location: Gerry Weber Stadium, Halle, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
- Referee: Dave Parris
- Judge: Manuel Maritxalar 78-74
- Judge: Noel Monnet 77-75
- Judge: Zoltan Enyedi 76-76
- WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title (1st defense by Helenius)
- WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title (Vacant)
Notes
- Robert Helenius 14-0 (9 KOs) vs. Samuel Peter 34-4 (27 KOs)
- Peter weighed in at 260 lbs., almost 19 pounds heavier than in his previous bout against Wladimir Klitschko.
- Peter entered as a 2/1 betting underdog.
- The fight averaged 2.55 million viewers on German TV network Das Erste with 15.0 market share. The channel's audience share in April 2011 was 12.6, meaning the fight contributed positively to the network's viewership numbers.
Bout Summary
The opening round saw Peter work primarily with a jab to the body as Helenius looked for countering opportunities. Helenius connected with a right-left combination near the end of the round. In Round 2, Helenius began to box a little more working behind a jab and keeping the shorter Samuel Peter at a distance. Helenius landed a nice right to the body as Peter was covered up and Peter landed a combination near the end of the round highlighted by a left hand that slipped through the Helenius's guard. In Round 3, it became evident that Helenius's strategy was to work from a distance with jabs and straight rights hands to keep Peter at bay and to tie up when Peter was able to get on the inside. Peter continued to come forward and try to land big punches against the circling Helenius, but had trouble connecting. In the 4th, Helenius continued to pump the jab into Peter's face. Peter was warned for leading with his head. Helenius was able to punish Peter at a distance and Peter was forced to throw lunging shots; many of which failed to touch Helenius. When Peter got on the inside or was able to get his opponent against the ropes, he allowed himself to be tied up. Peter had a strong 5th Round and likely won the round finding moderate success with power punches as Helenius did not evade as well as he had done in the rounds prior and allowed some punches to land. Helenius continued with his strategy of making Peter pay to get within punching range. A clear low blow in Round 6 sent a grimacing Helenius down to his knees in the corner. Helenius was allowed time to recover and Peter received a stern warning for the referee. Midway through Round 9, a combination capped with a left hand sent Peter down on his back. Using the ropes, he was able to make it to his feet at the count of eight and was allowed to continue. Helenius came forward and landed a straight right, left hook combination that sent Peter down with a thud as his head hit the mat, flat on his back and out. The referee made it to the count of six before waving off the bout as Peter made no attempt to get to his feet. He remained down for a couple of minutes before being helped up and to a stool in his corner.