Bad luck for Robert Helenius: The unbeaten European Heavyweight Champion will undergo shoulder surgery in Heidelberg next week. The 28-year-old has been bothered by problems in his right shoulder for some time. After conservative treatment failed to work, Helenius now has to go under the knife. „We had hoped to take care of the injury without surgery, but unfortunately it has become necessary now,” Helenius said. “I will give the shoulder enough time to heal and then I will come back in style.”

Helenius is expected to return after the summer break. He has knocked out three former world champions, namely Lamon Brewster, Samuel Peter and Siarhei Liakhovich. In his last fight in December, he defeated Dereck Chisora in front of a sell-out crowd of 13.000 fans at Helsinki´s Hartwall Areena to win the vacant European Heavyweight Title. “We wish Robert a speedy recovery,” Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer said. “We will give him the time he needs to be fully fit.”