The former two-time world heavyweight champion had initially been on account of face long-time rival Dillian Whyte once more this night in a grudge match, eight years on from when the pair first fought as professionals in an exciting bout, having beforehand clashed as amateurs.
However, it was introduced final weekend that Whyte had returned an “adverse finding” from a doping test and the battle was rapidly cancelled because of this, leaving Joshua’s staff 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 battle held in a Fifteenth-century fortress - normally reserved for operas - on an island in his native Finland. The 39-year-old ‘Nordic Nightmare’, a two-time European heavyweight 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 of final yr.
Joshua will hope to get his personal shot at Wilder within the close to future, with a mega-fight in opposition to the American pencilled in for January in Saudi Arabia, however first he should get the job achieved in opposition to Helenius, and ideally in convincing trend.
He was disappointingly low key when beating Jermaine Franklin earlier this yr, in his first battle working with new coach Derrick James, and a return to the devastating type that took him to the highest of boxing’s heavyweight scene could be a welcome one for Joshua earlier than he goes into bouts in opposition to the division’s greatest names.
Joshua vs Helenius is scheduled to happen right this moment, 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 principle occasion set for 10pm. As ever although, these timings are topic to vary.
Filip Hrgovic, presently the obligatory challenger 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 battle in opposition to Tyson Fury earlier this summer season.
The widespread Johnny Fisher additionally options, whereas Derek Chisora fights Gerald Washington - a person to have additionally overwhelmed Helenius - in a bout between two veterans of the division and Campbell Hatton steps up within the greatest check of his younger profession thus 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 stay and unique on DAZN, however not by way of their pay-per-view service because the Whyte battle was initially purported to be. A subscription to DAZN presently prices from £9.99 monthly 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 cell units, laptops, video games consoles and extra.
Watch Joshua vs Helenius live on DAZN by clicking here.
Live weblog: You can observe protection of the complete card with Standard Sport’s stay battle weblog tonight.
A late change of opponent isn't simple 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. He additionally needed to work onerous to see of Carlos Takam.
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 battle in comparatively cautious trend as he adjusts to his new opponent.
That mixed with a run of unconvincing shows from Joshua suggests {that a} repeat of Wilder’s chilling first-round knockout of Helenius is unlikely, even when a equally explosive efficiency is required to spice up the assured heading into greater and tougher 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 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, in 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 resolution: 9/2
Helenius to win by KO or TKO: 12/1
Helenius to win by factors or resolution: 33/1
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to vary).
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