Sequel time: Robert Helenius versus Adam Kownacki 2

Imagine if you will a place where you’re not expected to win but to lose.

You have entered boxing’s, Twilight Zone.

That’s where heavyweight Robert Helenius found himself last year when he faced popular heavyweight Adam Kownacki. Helenius wasn’t there for a paycheck.

He wanted to win.

And he did, stopping Kownacki in round four in a shocking upset. Ok, maybe not that shocking. Kownacki, a soft-looking heavyweight who had built up a rabid following in the Polish community, was undefeated. He can fight a little, he’s balls to the walls, but he’s no second coming of a great fighter.

But nobody expected Finlands Robert Helenius to beat him. Helenius sports an impressive record of 30 wins in 33 fights. Eight months before the Kownacki bout, Helenius lost to fringe contender Gerald Washington. Kownacki’s team likely figured that Helenius would rollover.

Not so.

He’ll get a chance to repeat his victory in a rematch this Saturday night.

“I knew people wouldn’t expect me to beat (Kownacki) the first time, and I’m sure they doubt me again,” Helenius told Joseph Santoliquito of Premier Boxing Champions last week.

Kownacki did well until being clipped by the 6-foot-6½ Helenius.

“I got a little reckless,” said the affable Kownacki. “I wanted to get him out of there early. I thought I had him, but he caught me with a good right hand coming in. I tried to go after him, but he caught me again.

“Being Brooklyn-born, when someone puts you on your ass, you want to show the kind of character you have, come back and beat them.”

In the sequel, the buzz around the fight is different. Can Kownacki forget what happened the last time and get his revenge? He better if he wants to fulfill his dream of becoming the first Polish heavyweight champion.

Can Helenius stay out of boxing’s Twilight Zone and win again?

Oddsmakers don’t think so.

Think of a place...