On August 12, 2023, Anthony Joshua delivered a stunning seventh-round knockout victory over Robert Helenius at the O2 Arena in London. This win sets up a potential fight with former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
Representatives from Saudi Arabia were present at the fight to discuss a potential matchup between Joshua and Wilder for January. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn expressed his desire for this fight, along with plans for fights against Robert Helenius and Tyson Fury.
Joshua, who improved his record to 26-3 with 23 KOs, showed patience and maturity in his performance, culminating in an impressive knockout in the seventh round. He expressed his willingness to fight Wilder and his commitment to keeping heavyweight boxing relevant.
Helenius, a late substitute for Dillian Whyte, put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell to Joshua. This win marks Joshua’s first stoppage since his victory over Kubrat Pulev in December 2020.
In another match on the undercard, Filip Hrgovic secured a 12th-round stoppage victory over Demsey McKean, further solidifying his position for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s IBF world title.
Derek Chisora, who faced Gerald Washington in a 10-round bout, emerged victorious with a unanimous decision despite sustaining a cut near his right eye early in the fight. This win puts Chisora in contention for a spot on the undercard of the Joshua-Wilder fight.
Overall, it was an exciting night for boxing fans, with Joshua showcasing his skills and setting the stage for potential future matchups.