Malik Scott Says Underdog Robert Helenius Fights Better Than He Spars
Malik Scott, chief second to Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KO’s), recently made an odd statement regarding Wilder’s next foe, Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius (31-3, 20 KO’s). Wilder, who is a one-time WBC heavyweight champion, is rebounding from his repeat back-alley drubbings at the hands of current WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
To get his feet wet, he elected to face Helenius, a former sparring partner who is riding a three-fight win streak. To this point in time, when The Bronze Bomber is fielding questions about this bout, he paints Helenius as a ferocious and cunning warrior. That’s why it’s rather odd that Malik Scott conjures up the image of a much more mousy, cumbersome opponent.
“Keep this in mind; Helenius is not a good spar. He doesn’t spar very good. Some fighters are like that – they are not good spars, but you get them under the lights and you make them the underdog and they come alive! That’s who Helenius is.”
EVERYBODY CAN’T BE RIGHT!
Clearly, Wilder has never fought Helenius in the ring during an actual prizefight. So, if Scott is telling the truth, what was Wilder talking about? He described a courageous warrior. For this match, The Bronze Bomber admitted that he’s going to extreme lengths in the camp. Almost literally training like Goku in the hyperbolic time chamber. Meanwhile, Scott recalls a guy that “doesn’t spar very good” and doesn’t even “come alive.” Being such polar-opposite viewpoints, both can’t be accurate.
Is Wilder just trying to sell tickets? Or, did he actually feel earnestly pushed by The Nordic Nightmare as Scott sat back yawning? Also, if Helenius, ranked #2 (WBA) and #10 (WBC), is such a notoriously bad spar, why use him for years? Just to beat up on him? Has The Bronze Bomber been sparring fall-guys for some time now? Is he still? Or, is Malik Scott way off the mark? Don’t know about you, but that loose comment has a bunch of questions springing to mind!
First though, let’s see how Wilder and his legendary straight right hand contends with Helenius. Will the Nordic Nightmare be lamb or lion? Only time will tell, and luckily it’s not too far away!
By: Bakari Simpson
