BROOKLYN, NY - SEPTEMBER 05: Adam Kownacki works out and speaks to the press during the media workout event at Gleason's Gym on September 5, 2018 in Brooklyn. (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
Adam Kownacki: Fighting to remain relevant
In 2019, popular Polish heavyweight Adam Kownacki was within shouting distance of his dream. Check out the
best new sports betting sites
for betting on boxing.
He was undefeated in 20 fights, dispatching unknown Joshua Tufte, veteran Artur Szpilka, journeyman Gerald Washington and winning decisions over Charles Martin and Chris Arreola. No Hall of Famers here, but a reflection of the modern heavyweight division.
Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on boxing.
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Bet now
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $100 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 5/31/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed – When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!
Bet now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
After the Areola bout, Kownacki heard the whispers.
Win one more, and a world title shot is yours.
His one more would have to be against Robert Helenius, a 6-foot-6-inch giant nicknamed “The Nordic Nightmare.”
Helenius hadn’t haunted anyone for years. Eight months before tangling with Kownacki, Helenius lost to Washington.
Kownacki was confident and favored to win on March 7, 2020, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Maybe too confident. His fan base was present – ready to cheer him on. He appeared to have the edge early against Helenius, though the Swede was boxing well. Kownacki worked the body while getting tagged with lefts.
His confidence growing, Robert Helenius had come to win. He stunned Kownacki with a big right hand in round four. Kownacki went down, but the referee incorrectly ruled it a slip. Seconds later, a combination sent Kownacki to the canvas. The fight was over and out soon after – as was Kownacki’s title shot.
A rematch had to happen. Kownacki said he’d be in better condition for the sequel, he was, but his shoddy defense has more leaks than a 50-year-old toilet. Helenius was feeling good. His big win in fight one had given him a new belief in his abilities. Kownacki entered the ring a shaky favorite. His earlier loss had been considered a fluke by many.
But after getting rocked in the opening stanza, it was pretty clear that his confidence, still brittle after his first career defeat, hadn’t recovered.
Helenius peppered Kownacki with jabs and hooks. Kownacki hung in, but he was a beaten fighter by the end of the bout.
Told to retire by some, Kownacki rested.
He’ll be back in the ring July 30th against 2016 Turkish-German Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen. The 6-3-inch, 260-pound fighter has won 15 of 16 fights, including five in succession. His most recent win was an eighth-round stoppage of Washington. Check out the
best sports betting sites on boxing.
Kownacki understands what he’s up against.
“This is the biggest fight of my career,” said Kownacki a few weeks ago at a press conference. “I have to win to stay relevant in the heavyweight division. I’m training hard, and I’m ready to win.”
Kownacki,33, says he’s moved on from his back-to-back defeats.
“I’m very excited to be back in the ring, especially back home in Brooklyn at Barclays Center,” said Kownacki. “I’m ready to show the world that Robert Helenius just caught me at a complicated time in my life. I had a good 20 fights, I hit a bump in the road. ”
Demirezen, like Kownacki, is easy to hit. It could come down to who can take it and keep coming.
Kownacki is again the favorite.
Win or hang them up.
Check out the top sportsbook bonuses for betting on boxing
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
USA Players Welcome
Min. Deposit: 5
Open DraftKings
Get bonus now
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $100 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 5/31/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed – When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!
USA Players Welcome
Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: 5
Open FanDuel
Get bonus now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
USA Players Welcome
Min. Deposit: $5
Open BetMGM
Get bonus now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)
Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets
USA Players Welcome
Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit
Best Alternative
Open DraftKings
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
150% First Purchase Offer: Up to 600K Gold Coins + 303 SC FREE
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Not available in AL, CA, CT, DE, ID, KY, LA, MD, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, TN, WA, and WV. Age 21+ Additional T&Cs apply.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
This site is using
Cloudflare
and adheres to the
Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted
Google's Privacy Guidelines
to keep your data safe at all times.
Close
Our Sports Pros recommend these awesome sports betting sites this week:
DraftKings Promo
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Our Favorite
T&Cs and 21+ apply
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $100 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 5/31/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
Code:
Open DraftKings
Get Bonus
FanDuel Promo
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed - When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!
Best Slots
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
Code:
Open FanDuel
Get Bonus
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Newcomer
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $100 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 5/31/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
