London, UK - The world of heavyweight boxing is gearing up for an unexpected clash as former unified champion Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in a bout that has taken a surprising turn. Joshua is set to face late-replacement Robert Helenius at London's renowned O2 Arena this Saturday.
Helenius, on the heels of a victory just days ago, is stepping into the spotlight on short notice following Dillian Whyte's VADA pre-fight drug test failure. This short notice fight comes in the wake of Helenius' recent triumph over Mika Mielonen, where he secured a third-round TKO on August 5th.
The win over Mielonen marked Helenius' return to the ring after a devastating first-round knockout loss to Deontay Wilder in October 2022. This defeat halted the momentum generated by Helenius with his consecutive victories over Adam Kownacki.
For Joshua, this bout represents another step in his journey to reclaim his status as a world title contender. Following his losses of the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles to Oleksandr Usyk, and a subsequent loss in their rematch, Joshua secured a win in his first post-Usyk fight against Jermaine Franklin. However, the victory was met with criticism due to its lackluster nature.
Speaking on the BBC 5 Live Boxing Podcast, Joshua reflected on the risks and rewards of his chosen path, stating, "There's a big risk, 100%. And I could have waited it out. but if it went wrong... let's just say we're strategizing our war strategy and we spoke about victory but we're on the subject of losing. This affects our chances of conquering more land. Why can't we still go to battle though? Why can't I still fight Wilder? It's too much emphasis [on win-loss records] …that's what I'm trying to say."
Joshua's sights are set on high-stakes matchups, including a potential face-off against fellow former champion Deontay Wilder or a domestic clash against WBC champion Tyson Fury.
To pave the way for these coveted opportunities, Joshua cannot afford any surprises akin to his stunning upset loss to Andy Ruiz in 2019. Triumphing over Helenius is a prerequisite, and a decisive victory would solidify Joshua's position, especially given Wilder's swift triumph over Helenius in the past year.
The undercard adds a distinct European flavor to the event, featuring another pair of heavyweights aiming to make their mark in the title scene. The co-main event sees Filip Hrgovic squaring off against Demsey McKean. Hrgovic, boasting an unblemished record of 15-0 with 12 knockouts, is riding high after a significant victory over Zhilei Zhang in the previous August. In addition, heavyweight veterans Derek Chisora and Gerald Washington are primed for a heated showdown.
Joshua vs. Helenius Fight Card and Odds:
Anthony Joshua -1600 vs. Robert Helenius +900 (Heavyweight)
Filip Hrgovic -800 vs. Demsey McKean +550 (Heavyweight)
Derek Chisora -650 vs. Gerald Washington +475 (Heavyweight)
Johnny Fisher -1600 vs. Harry Armstrong +900 (Heavyweight)
Campbell Hatton vs. Tom Ansell (Super Lightweight)
Event Details:
Date: August 12
Start Time: 2:00 p.m. ET (Main Card)
Location: O2 Arena, London
TV Channel/Stream: DAZN
Expert Prediction: The outcome of this fight seems fairly certain. Anthony Joshua holds a clear advantage over Robert Helenius in multiple aspects. Despite Helenius' vulnerability to hits and slower pace, Joshua's boxing prowess is superior. However, Joshua must be cautious not to underestimate his opponent, as witnessed in his past upset against Ruiz. Joshua's success will depend on maintaining his focus. Prediction: Anthony Joshua by decision."