DILLIAN WHYTE did a job against Nordic Nightmare Robert Helenius but the heavyweight snorefest sent the Cardiff crowd to dream land.
And his victory will not ring any alarm bells with Anthony Joshua or the division’s two other champs.
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WBC boss Deontay Wilder and WBO champ Joseph Parker will have probably switched off after the bout lost any air of competition after a cruelly seductive opening.
Helenius landed a couple of thundering shots in the second round that Whyte did well to survive, inspiring false hope for a barnstormer.
The Finnish giant’s cornermen even got carried away and we were warned by a floor manager to not jump around in front of the cameras trying to film the action.
Helenius enjoyed success on the back foot, letting the Londoner lurch forward before picking him off.
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Helenius took advantage of a slow start by Whyte but faded[/caption]
When Whyte was able to unload, his booming right hand usually only crashed into the gloves of his rival, who was covering up well and sapping away at the Londoner’s gas tank.
A right hook in the fourth was flush but it didn’t even rattle Helenius who took to strolling about with his arms down in a sign of fatigue or disrespect for Whyte’s power.
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Main event Joshua was preparing for Carlos Takam while these two lumps traded blows.
But if he caught any of the fight he not have seen anything to concern him with very little boxing talent on show.
By the middle rounds Helenius looked tired, all the hunting and fishing he does around his remote Finnish home not helping his cardio and Whyte should have buried him.
The lack of ambition from Helenius – who insists he wants a heavyweight world title – was baffling.
At least Whyte, with all his rough edges, marched forward and threw with some intent.
Helenius even seemed to row with his corner seconds before round nine – perhaps his coach dared telling him he was stinking out the Principality Stadium.
Instead of fearing cuts or bruises, there was a real worry Helenius would be struck down with rigamortis mid-round, his pulse definitely needed checking.
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The crowd grew sick of it and it was a surprise they had the patience to wait until the 11th round to boo the turgid support act and call for Joshua’s arrival.
Luckily the judges managed to stay awake long enough to settle it 119-109, 119-109 and 118-110.
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