Helenius makes comeback, Akanov defends title in Estonia's highest level professional boxing event yet
First ever professional championship match in Estonian history saw Artur Akavov, who has represented Estonia in the past but is now back under the Russian flag, defend his WBO European Champion middleweight title from Davit Makaradze of Georgia.
Akavov, 27, dominated the match, although the Georgian, nicknamed "the Robot", put in a stout performance. Akavov was declared the winner after round seven.
Akavov now has 13 wins and a single loss to his name. Each win helps him move closer to his dream, a world championship match. The win from Tallinn will move him up to sixth in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) rankings.
Born in Russia, Akavov moved to Estonia in 2005 to train in Sirge boxing club in Tartu. He represented Estonia for a few years before heading back to Russia.
World Boxing Organisation is a professional boxing organisation recognized as one of the four major world championship series, whose world championship titles are held by Wladimir Klitschko and Manny Pacquiao.
Before Akavov and Makaradze took to the ring, former European Champion and world's number five heavyweight boxer Robert Helenius made a comeback to professional circuit with a match against Hungary's Andras Csomor, after battling injuries for two years, and in recent months also his estranged promoter Sauerland Event.
In the highlight match of the GIGA Estonian Boxing Night, the Finnish heavyweight star defeated the Hungarian with a technical knockout in one minute and two seconds. This was 20th professional victory for Helenius, who said he struggled to constrain himself during the fight.
"After being sidelined for two years I had such hunger for competition and so much power in me, I just had to put everything out there," he told ETV's sport news.
Editor: M. Oll