The former two-time heavyweight world champion had initially been on account of face long-time rival Dillian Whyte once more, eight years on from when the pair first fought as professionals in an exhilarating 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 struggle was rapidly cancelled in consequence, leaving Joshua’s crew scrambling to discover a new opponent on the eleventh hour and make sure 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 struggle 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 carried out in opposition to Helenius, and ideally in convincing style.
He was disappointingly low key when beating Jermaine Franklin earlier this 12 months, in his first struggle 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 in opposition to the division’s greatest names.
The bout is scheduled to happen right now, Saturday August 12, 2023 on the O2 Arena in London.
The undercard is anticipated 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 alter.
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 struggle in opposition to Tyson Fury earlier this summer season.
The well-liked 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 so far.
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
TV channel: Joshua vs Helenius is being broadcast dwell and unique on DAZN, however not through their pay-per-view service because the Whyte struggle was initially presupposed to be. A subscription to DAZN at present prices from £9.99 per thirty 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 dwell stream service on-line throughout cellular gadgets, laptops, video games consoles and extra.
Watch Joshua vs Helenius live on DAZN by clicking here.
Live weblog: You can observe protection of your entire card with Standard Sport’s dwell struggle weblog on Saturday night time.
A late change of opponent is rarely simple for a fighter to take care of, 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 distinct problem to Whyte, with the Finnish heavyweight a considerably taller man, and it could be no shock if Joshua began the struggle 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 larger and more difficult bouts.
Joshua now has one other camp with Derrick James underneath his belt, so enhancements on what he produced in opposition to Franklin are anticipated, and promoter Eddie Hearn has stated his man is “the best I’ve seen him physically and mentally”.
Whether proof of that comes on Saturday night time stays to be seen, however we’re going for Joshua to step by step break Helenius down after a cagey begin to seal a primary knockout win for nearly three years.
Joshua to win by stoppage, spherical seven.
Joshua tipped the scales at 17st and 12lbs on Friday, a pound heavier than Helenius at 17st and 11lbs.
Joshua to win: 1/20
Helenius to win: 9/1
Draw: 25/1
Joshua to win by KO or TKO: 2/9
Joshua to win by factors or determination: 9/2
Helenius to win by KO or TKO: 12/1
Helenius to win by factors or determination: 33/1
Odds through Betfair (topic to alter).
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