The former two-time world champion had been as a consequence of face long-time rival Dillian Whyte, eight years on from when the when the pair first fought in an exhilarating bout.
However, it was introduced over the weekend that Whyte had returned an “adverse finding” from a doping test and the struggle was cancelled consequently, leaving Joshua’s group scrambling to discover a new opponent and make sure the card was not scrapped.
Helenius is the person to step up, only a few days after he beat Mika Mielonen in Finland. The 39-year-old, who misplaced to Whyte in 2017, was stopped within the first spherical when he took on Deontay Wilder in October final yr.
Joshua will hope to get his shot at Wilder within the close to future, with a mega-fight agains the America pencilled in for January in Saudi Arabia, however first he should get the job carried out towards Helenius, and ideally in convincing vogue.
He was disappointingly low-key when beating Jermaine Franklin earlier this yr, in his first struggle working with coach Derrick James, and a return to the devastating model that took him to the highest of the heavyweight scene can be a welcome one for Joshua earlier than he goes into bouts towards the division’s greatest names.
The bout is scheduled to happen on Saturday August 12, 2023 on the 02 Arena in London.
The undercard is anticipated to get underway at 7pm BST, with the ring walks for the principle occasion set for 10pm. As ever although, these timings are topic to alter.
Filip Hrgovic, at the moment in line to problem for Oleksandr Usyk’s IBF belt, is in motion on the undercard. He takes on unbeaten Australian Demsey McKean, who was linked with a struggle towards Tyson Fury earlier this summer time.
The fashionable Johnny Fisher additionally options, whereas Derek Chisora fights Gerald Washington in a bout between two veterans of the division.
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
George Liddard vs Bas Oosterweghel
Brandon Scott vs Louis Norman
Maiseyrose Courtney vs Gemma Ruegg
TV channel: Joshua vs Helenius is being broadcast dwell and unique on DAZN. A subscription at the moment 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 supply a dwell stream service on-line throughout cellular units, laptops, video games consoles and extra.
Live weblog: You can observe protection of the complete card with Standard Sport’s dwell struggle weblog!
A late change of opponent is rarely simple for a fighter to cope with, as Joshua is aware of greater than most after his defeat to Andy Ruiz 4 years in the past in New York.
Helenius presents a unique 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 vogue 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 beneath his belt, so enhancements on what he produced towards Jermaine 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 progressively break Helenius down after a cagey begin to seal a primary knockout win for nearly three years.
Joshua to win by stoppage, spherical seven.
The fighters will take to the scales on Friday afternoon - verify again in then for the outcomes!
Joshua to win: 1/18
Helenius to win: 17/2
Draw: 25/1
Joshua to win by KO or TKO: 1/4
Joshua to win by factors or resolution: 7/2
Helenius to win by KO or TKO: 11/1
Helenius to win by factors or resolution: 22/1
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to alter).
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