Two-time former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to continue his journey back to a world title fight on Saturday, albeit against a different opponent than originally planned. Joshua will now be facing Robert Helenius at London’s O2 Arena, as a late replacement for Dillian Whyte who failed a pre-fight drug test. Helenius, who only had less than a week to prepare, recently won a fight on August 5th by third-round TKO. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, expressed disappointment about the change in opponent but also highlighted the importance of rigorous testing to ensure a fair competition.
Helenius’s previous fight was in October 2022, where he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Deontay Wilder. This defeat halted the momentum Helenius had gained from two victories against Adam Kownacki. Joshua, on the other hand, has been aiming to rebuild his career after losing his WBA, WBO, and IBF titles to Oleksandr Usyk and then losing again in the rematch. He achieved a win in his first fight after Usyk, defeating Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision, although the bout received criticism for its lackluster nature.
In an interview, Joshua shared his perspective on the risks and losses in boxing, emphasizing the need to focus on the fight itself rather than the outcome. He expressed his determination to continue fighting and pursuing big challenges like Wilder, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and resilience in the face of setbacks.
Joshua’s ultimate goal is to secure high-profile fights against the likes of Wilder or Tyson Fury, both former champions themselves. To achieve that, he cannot afford any surprises or underwhelming performances, similar to his shocking loss to Andy Ruiz in 2019. Therefore, it is crucial for Joshua to handle his upcoming fight against Helenius effectively and preferably in an impressive manner. Notably, Wilder defeated Helenius with relative ease in their recent encounter.
The fight card also features other European fighters aiming to enter the heavyweight title picture. Filip Hrgovic, with an unbeaten record of 15-0 and 12 knockouts, will be facing Demsey McKean in the co-main event. Additionally, veterans Derek Chisora and Gerald Washington are set to face each other in a heavyweight clash.
In terms of the odds, Joshua is heavily favored at -1600, while Helenius is the underdog at +900.