Anthony Joshua returns to motion within the acquainted surrounds of London’s O2 Arena tonight, taking over late alternative opponent Robert Helenius. This was alleged to be the second grudge match in opposition to long-time rival Dillian Whyte, although that high-profile bout was cancelled final week after Whyte returned “adverse analytical findings” in a random anti-doping take a look at.
That led to Matchroom Boxing having to scramble to discover a alternative to salvage the principle occasion, with Nordic Nightmare Helenius, a former two-time European champion, getting the decision regardless of having solely fought final weekend in an early stoppage of Mika Mielonen in a fort in his native Finland. That was the 39-year-old’s first outing since being brutally knocked out within the first spherical by Deontay Wilder final 12 months, with Joshua hoping to make the same assertion right here as he prepares to seemingly meet the Bronze Bomber in a blockbuster showdown subsequent.
There is loads of heavyweight motion to sit up for on tonight’s undercard too, with Filip Hrgovic, Johnny Fisher and Derek Chisora all in motion, plus a step up within the younger profession of Campbell Hatton and early wins for Brandon Scott and Maiseyrose Courtney. Follow Joshua vs Helenius updates dwell with Standard Sport’s weblog beneath!
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Here’s the story of the tape for tonight’s essential occasion....
33 Age 39
28 Fights 36
25 Wins 32
22 KOs 21
0 Draws 0
3 Losses 4
148 Rounds boxed 199
6ft 6in Height 6ft 7in
82in Reach 79in
Orthodox Stance Orthodox
17st 12lbs Weight 17st 11lbs
That wraps up the ‘Before the Bell’ protection of tonight’s three-fight preliminary card on the O2 Arena.
The essential undercard is up subsequent, with Campbell Hatton vs Tom Ansell, Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington, Johnny Fisher vs Harry Armstrong and Filip Hrgovic vs Demsey McKean all developing earlier than Anthony Joshua takes on Robert Helenius.
With this a lot heavyweight motion on faucet, it ought to be something however uninteresting!
That was one hell of a six-round scrap between George Liddard and Bas Oosterweghel.
Some great work and selection on present from the unbeaten Billericay middleweight, however Oosterweghel got here on sturdy with large stress and let his fingers go furiously on plenty of events within the latter half of an engrossing battle.
The referee ultimately scores it 59-55 in favour of Liddard, who goes to 4-0. But he'll know he was in a correct conflict at instances there - full props to Dutchman Oosterweghel, whose cornerman was as intense as they arrive.
With Wilder having brutally knocked out Helenius inside a spherical with a trademark vicious proper hand in Brooklyn final October, there'll inevitably be comparisons made with Joshua’s efficiency in opposition to the towering Finn tonight as he appears to be like to arrange a mammoth showdown with the Bronze Bomber subsequent.
However, the previous two-time world heavyweight champion insists that such comparisons are nothing new as he pointed to the earlier opponents that he had managed to wash up faster than his long-time American rival.
“I have to ignore it. It is one step at a time,” Joshua stated.
“When I fought Jason Gavern, I knocked him out, Wilder took longer. When I fought Eric Molina, I knocked him out in three and Wilder took nine rounds.
“There will always be comparisons. This is my own fight with Helenius, no-one else’s. I can’t fail.”
There are two early fights already within the books on the O2 Arena.
Eccentric Welsh featherweight Brandon Scott - who got here to the ring dressed as Darth Vader after showing as Spiderman on the pre-fight press convention - has moved to 6-0 after a snug factors win over former English flyweight champion Louis Norman.
Opening up the invoice was Maiseyrose Courtney, who additionally stayed unbeaten and went to 4-0 after a really spectacular victory over the skilled Gemma Ruegg.
At the second, Billericay middleweight George Liddard is dominating Bas Oosterweghel.
Anthony Joshua has been writing a collection of unique combat diaries as soon as once more for Standard Sport this week. Here’s his newest instalment from Friday, through which he discusses criticism of tonight’s essential occasion, feeling like a “gladiator” in entrance of a London crowd, coaching with Derrick James and way more...
People won't imagine it, however I simply love the day earlier than a combat.
I really feel extremely relaxed, there’s no stress. I do know all of the exhausting work is completed, I’m as prepared as ever and, all through the day, I’ll begin regularly itching for the ring stroll.
You at all times image that second strolling out on the O2 with the roar, folks chanting your identify, understanding all of the followers have gotten your again. That vitality is simply unreal, you are feeling like a gladiator in entrance of your property crowd.
It’s really been a relaxed combat build-up even with the change of opponent. I’ve simply stayed in my very own little bubble and obtained on with the job in hand. As I at all times say, the one factor I can and can fear about is me.
The day earlier than is all about fuelling your physique as a lot as you'll be able to, resting up and just about simply hanging out with the staff. Come combat night time, the routine doesn’t change an ideal deal, you simply undergo those self same motions of preparing.
Read Joshua’s exclusive fight diary in full here
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.
He additionally needed to work exhausting to see off the sturdy Carlos Takam, who was a late alternative for Kubrat Pulev in 2017.
Helenius affords a unique problem to Whyte, with the Finnish heavyweight a considerably taller man, and it could be no shock if Joshua began the combat 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 more difficult bouts.
Joshua now has one other camp with new coach 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 tonight stays to be seen, however we’re going for Joshua to regularly 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.
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 by way of their pay-per-view service because the Whyte combat was initially alleged to be. A subscription to DAZN presently 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 dwell stream service on-line throughout cellular units, laptops, video games consoles and extra.
The early ‘Before the Bell’ motion is already off and operating on the O2 Arena.
The essential undercard is anticipated to get underway at 7pm BST, with the ring walks for the principle occasion set for after 10pm.
As ever although, these timings are topic to vary.
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