Helenius vs Wilder Betting Picks: On October 15th, mammoth heavyweight punchers Deontay Wilder and Robert Helenius will do the monster mash in a W.B.C. title eliminator from the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. The lethal 6’7″ slugger Wilder, 42-2-1, 38, KO’s, has been instilled as the 9 to 1 betting “chalk” with the teak tough 6’6 1/2″, Helenius, 31-3, 20 KO’s, priced as the +430 pup. Helenius vs Wilder sports betting picks has 65% of the action on Wilder to take care of business against the overmatched Helenius.

Wilder, 36, returns from a year layoff after a life-and-death, 11th-round knockout loss to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in the third installment of their trilogy. On the Wilder vs Fury III undercard, Helenius, 38, thrashed Polish contender Adam Kownacki for the second time in a 6th-round wipeout to set up the firefight with Wilder.

Few pundits in the boxing media are giving the relatively unknown Helenius a prayer, but after Wilder’s shaky showing against Fury, are the experts underestimating “The Nordic Nightmare” from Finland? ESPN2 News handicappers give away our Helenius vs Wilder sports betting picks.

Helenius vs Wilder Odds

Boxing Odds Courtesy of Sportsbettingonline.ag

Deontay Wilder Scouting Report

Strengths: The menacing 6’7″ 214 lb. “Bronze Bomber” is a physical specimen with a chiseled upper body attached to a 747-sized 83″ wingspan. Has Pirhana-like aggression with a style in the mold of legendary hitter Gerald McClellan. Tosses haymakers from the opening bell with lightning-quick hands clocked at 27.1 MPH (Mike Tyson in his prime 24.9 MPH).

Laser-like straight-right carries the force of a trash compactor and the left hook has enough leverage to lift a man off his feet. Confident in his power and believes he can whip anyone on the planet if the right connects to a sweet spot on the skull. Gym rat with an excellent work ethic.

Uncorks a snappy left jab off the hip that has a whipping effect that can frustrate and handcuff opponents. Tough as nails with a better-than-average chin. Average infighter but dangerous at mid-range with damaging hooks and uppercuts. Electric finisher that unloads the kitchen sink on wounded prey.

Weaknesses: Seems to have regressed since switching trainers from Mark Breland to Jonathan Banks. Infrequent sparring (every two weeks) affects timing, stamina, and punch resistance. Relies mostly on height for defense and can be hit hard when gunning for the KO.

Must be set to punch with a below-average ability to cut off the ring. Tends to get careless when pressured or gassed. Vulnerable when hurt with the inability to tie up effectively. After nearly 14 years of trading punches with some of the hardest hitters in boxing and three wars against Fury, has the tread on Wilder’s tires worn thin?

Robert Helenius Scouting Report

Strengths: The tattooed technician has a Viking-like presence at 6’6 1/2″ 253 Lbs with a steely resolve. Makes effective use of long reach (80″) with a stiff jab to control distance. Throws his big right hand with conviction and sharp accuracy. Wears down opponents with heavy 1-2 combo down the pipe.

Catches punches on the gloves well and pulls out of range instinctively on defense. Despite a truck driver’s physique has decent footwork and stamina. Above-average finisher that knows how to score referee stoppages with barrages.

Weaknesses: Bad habit of pulling back from punches with his chin in the air has proven disastrous in KO losses to Gerald Washington and Johann Duhaupas. Not a real fluid or fast athlete with ordinary speed. Doesn’t dodge punches particularly well, relying primarily on his jab and blocks for defense. Not much of an infighter preferring to duel at long range.

Hard-charging style and tender skin make him susceptible to cuts. Has a tendency to go toe-to-toe when better served to box. Washington and Duhaupas were not known as huge punchers and scored stoppages against Helenius can he handle Wilder’s power?

ESPN2 News Boxing Odds Analysis: Wilder opened as a -600 favorite at most shops but was quickly bet north to its current -900 sticker. Helenius is slow, hittable, and leaves his chin in the air like a chandelier. Wilder is a fast starter that ends matters quickly against inferior opposition scoring 31 of his knockouts in 3 rounds or less (69%).

Helenius is a gunslinger that believes that he can win having sparred with Wilder once before. Helenius’s bravery will be his downfall as he tries to go toe-to-toe with the biggest puncher in the sport. Expect the underrated counterpunching skills of Wilder to be on display as he catches Helenius with one of his shotgun blasts within the first 3 frames.

Helenius vs Wilder Boxing Predictions: Wilder KO2