Joshua vs Helenius: Date, combat time, undercard, prediction and odds
The former two-time heavyweight world champion had initially been as a consequence of face long-time rival Dillian Whyte once more, eight years on from when the pair first fought as professionals in an exciting bout, having beforehand clashed as amateurs.
However, it was introduced over the weekend that Whyte had returned an “adverse finding” from a doping test and the combat was rapidly cancelled because of this, leaving Joshua’s crew scrambling to discover a new opponent on the eleventh hour and be certain that the entire card was not scrapped.
Helenius is the person to step up, only a matter of days after he beat compatriot Mika Mielonen in his comeback combat held in a Fifteenth-century fort on an island in his native Finland. The 39-year-old ‘Nordic Nightmare’, a two-time European champion who misplaced on factors to Whyte in 2017, was brutally stopped within the first spherical when he took on Deontay Wilder in New York in October final 12 months.
Joshua will hope to get his shot at Wilder within the close to future, with a mega-fight agains the American pencilled in for January in Saudi Arabia, however first he should get the job achieved towards Helenius, and ideally in convincing style.
He was disappointingly low key when beating Jermaine Franklin earlier this 12 months, in his first combat working with new coach Derrick James, and a return to the devastating fashion that took him to the highest of boxing’s heavyweight scene can be a welcome one for Joshua earlier than he goes into bouts towards the division’s greatest names.
Joshua vs Helenius date, begin time, venue and ring walks
The bout is scheduled to happen on Saturday August 12, 2023 on the O2 Arena in London.
The undercard is predicted to get underway at 7pm BST, with the ring walks for the primary occasion set for 10pm. As ever although, these timings are topic to vary.
Joshua vs Helenius combat card/undercard in full
Filip Hrgovic, at present in line to problem for Oleksandr Usyk’s IBF heavyweight belt, is in motion on the undercard. He takes on unbeaten Australian Demsey McKean, who was linked with a combat towards Tyson Fury earlier this summer time.
The common Johnny Fisher additionally options, whereas Derek Chisora fights Gerald Washington in a bout between two veterans of the division and Campbell Hatton steps up within the greatest take a look at of his younger profession up to now.
Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius
Filip Hrgovic vs Demsey McKean
Johnny Fisher vs Harry Armstrong
Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington
Campbell Hatton vs Tom Ansell
Maiseyrose Courtney vs Gemma Ruegg
George Liddard vs Bas Oosterweghel
Brandon Scott vs Louis Norman
Derek Chisora returns for the primary time since dropping to Tyson Fury in December
/ Andrew Couldridge/Action Images through ReutersHow to observe Joshua vs Helenius
TV channel: Joshua vs Helenius is being broadcast stay and unique on DAZN, however not through their pay-per-view service because the Whyte combat was initially speculated to be. A subscription to DAZN at present prices from £9.99 per 30 days within the UK.
The sports activities streaming service has DAZN 1 HD within the UK and Ireland on channel 429 on Sky.
Live stream: The DAZN app and web site will provide a stay stream service on-line throughout cellular units, laptops, video games consoles and extra.
Live weblog: You can comply with protection of the whole card with Standard Sport’s stay combat weblog on Saturday evening.
Joshua vs Helenius combat prediction
A late change of opponent isn’t straightforward for a fighter to cope with, as Joshua is aware of greater than most after his shock defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr 4 years in the past in New York.
Helenius affords a special problem to Whyte, with the Finnish heavyweight a considerably taller man, and it will be no shock if Joshua began the combat in comparatively cautious style as he adjusts to his new opponent.
That mixed with a run of unconvincing shows from Joshua suggests {that a} repeat of Wilder’s first-round knockout of Helenius is unlikely, even when a equally explosive efficiency is required to spice up the assured heading into greater and more difficult bouts.
Joshua now has one other camp with Derrick James underneath his belt, so enhancements on what he produced towards Franklin are anticipated, and promoter Eddie Hearn has mentioned his man is “the best I’ve seen him physically and mentally”.
Whether proof of that comes on Saturday evening stays to be seen, however we’re going for Joshua to steadily break Helenius down after a cagey begin to seal a primary knockout win for nearly three years.
Joshua to win by stoppage, spherical seven.
Statement: A extra explosive show from Anthony Joshua is required towards Robert Helenius
/ Getty ImagesJoshua vs Helenius weigh-in outcomes
The fighters will each take to the scales on Friday afternoon – examine again in then for the outcomes!
Joshua vs Helenius betting odds
Joshua to win: 1/18
Helenius to win: 17/2
Draw: 25/1
Joshua to win by KO or TKO: 2/9
Joshua to win by factors or resolution: 4/1
Helenius to win by KO or TKO: 11/1
Helenius to win by factors or resolution: 22/1
Odds through Betfair (topic to vary).