Joshua explains why he accepted Helenius struggle after Whyte withdrawal
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nthony Joshua has confirmed why he accepted a late opponent change for this weekend’s struggle on the O2 Arena in London.
The former heavyweight champion was on account of face Dillian Whyte as not too long ago as final week, till the man British boxer noticed a doping check by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) detect “adverse analytical findings”. Whyte has since claimed his innocence however the struggle needed to be cancelled.
On Tuesday, 4 days earlier than the struggle, six-foot-nine Robert Helenius was confirmed as Dillian Whyte’s alternative regardless of going through fought in Finland final weekend, and Joshua says a way of accountability was fuelled his want to maintain the struggle alive.
“Yes so I also looked at the undercard as well and I know how much it means for them to compete,” the previous two-time world heavyweight champion mentioned. “I know how hard (Matchroom) guys work and not only (Eddie Hearn), all your backroom staff. I didn’t want to let anyone down, my coach, DAZN, so it is kind of like a responsibility.
“Late replacements should not perfect however it’s the third time it has occurred. We had it with Kubrat Pulev and (Carlos) Takam, Jarrell Miller and Andy Ruiz Jr so that is what occurs. A protracted profession will current these kind of obstacles and I simply need to get used to them. Yeah, that is one other rock on my shoe in the direction of the highest of the mountain.
“Helenius fought on Saturday, he is doing the right thing. As a fighter, you have to stay busy, you have to stay active and keep expressing your skill because that is the only way to improve.
“Obviously I have never been combating, I fought firstly of April (towards Jermaine Franklin) however I spent a whole lot of time within the ring. In Dallas we do a whole lot of ring work and that is the closest factor to a struggle. It is not only hitting the baggage, shadow boxing, we do a whole lot of fight coaching so I’m bodily prepared.”
Meanwhile, Helenius (32-4, 21KOs) insists he is not merely in the UK for a pay-day despite being in action on Saturday, where he recorded a third-round win over Mika Mielonen in a Castle in Finland.
The veteran will step into the ring for the 37th time and after sharing the canvas with Deontay Wilder last October, where he suffered a vicious knock-out loss inside three minutes, he is excited to go toe-to-toe with old sparring partner Joshua (25-3, 22KOs).
Stockholm-born Helenius added: “I’m able to struggle. That is why I’m right here. Otherwise I would not be right here.
“I respect him, he’s a good fighter. It is going to be glorious. It was big news in Finland and I can ensure you I will give everything.”
Additional reporting by Press Association.