![Anthony Joshua lands a knockout blow - Anthony Joshua claims eighth seventh KO against Robert Helenius - latest reaction](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345643917_16918808928750_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqnZlAO2SbRIMsCE2ccfSvVJgojZYlP8f0i9h2tPqCNsM.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Anthony Joshua sets sights on Deontay Wilder fight after brutal KO of Robert Helenius
![Anthony Joshua lands a knockout blow - Anthony Joshua claims eighth seventh KO against Robert Helenius - latest reaction](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345643917_16918808928750_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqnZlAO2SbRIMsCE2ccfSvVJgojZYlP8f0i9h2tPqCNsM.jpeg?imwidth=680)
By Gareth A Davies, Boxing Correspondent, at O2 Arena
Anthony Joshua had proclaimed that he “could not fail” against late, late replacement 39-year-old Robert Helenius and the former two-time heavyweight world champion kept his career on course with a vicious right hand seventh round knockout to claim victory.
Momentarily, there were concerns over the Finnish fighter in the ring, but he was soon up on his feet. Joshua, relieved no doubt, leapt up onto the ring ropes to celebrate a sensational finish.
After a difficult period in which Joshua was rebuilding after losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk - who defeated him for a second time on points in their rematch in Saudi Arabia last August - the Londoner was expected to make the weight of his heavy punches explode for a dramatic, statement triumph. There can be no question that this result here amidst a cacophony of noise will have helped the rebuild for now.
Joshua had, in the seven rounds of action, worked largely behind the jab, intent on leaving out combinations until that powerful finale.
Helenius, for his part, was composed in the opening round with Joshua working on finding his range, and in the second Joshua landed with a big jab and right hand.
Joshua jabbed his way through the third round, before landing a good right hand. After landing a big right hand in the fourth, the Finn sinking into the ropes, and the pattern continued through the fifth, though Joshua was single punching rather than combinations. Joshua controlled the contest with single punches, until a huge, booming right hand detonated and felled his foe dramatically.
![Joshua (left) stands over Helenius after his seventh round knockout - Anthony Joshua sets sights on Deontay Wilder fight after brutal KO of Robert Helenius](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345645143_16918825113670_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqq0hXPkI_GX3QDYmEw99JfLxlL4JJZFr6G2BGlsAngeI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Joshua has spoken of his aspirations of becoming a heavyweight world champion for a third time, and he can now put in the hard work - and dream. The 33-year-old has two names he must pursue in this era - Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury - and both are mega-fights worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Those are the two names left on Joshua’s chalkboard, and the prospect of those two match-ups grew enticingly nearer in a dramatic denouement by the Briton here in Docklands under the giant white canopy of The O2, as fans flocked away, content that the British boxing behemoth had rescued the event, and the fight night.
Thankfully for Joshua, this was not another dark moment in the resume of the former Olympic champion’s 29-fight career - admirable in his desire to go ahead with this fight on such short notice, after Dillian Whyte, his original opponent, was removed after an “adverse analytical finding” from a VADA anti-doping test made public just a week ago.
It might have cost him dearly. It might have been a career altering moment, in which he had decided to go ahead against the Finn on a purse cut “more than in half” according to the promoter Eddie Hearn, believed to have been around £10 million.
It would have been catastrophic for the Briton had it aped what happened in New York four years ago against Mexican American Andy Ruiz - whom Joshua lost to on a month’s notice - in a fight many will pinpoint as the moment Joshua’s career, and fighting style, changed dramatically. In that contest, Joshua was knocked down four times and stopped in the seventh round, and thereafter, no longer a destroyer, the British boxer became a more cautious exponent in the ring. But that was not in evidence last night. Gone was the over-cautious, gun shy fighter.
![Joshua (right) punches - Anthony Joshua sets sights on Deontay Wilder fight after brutal KO of Robert Helenius](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345644457_16918828687990_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqe8EOArUxzcOfIfa2qlTi9cbHf4DfgeegiUIPq8ZyLgk.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Indeed, a Saudi Arabian delegation were in London, and according to Joshua’s promoter Hearn, had been on site to conclude a deal with Joshua to fight Wilder, expected to be early next year. The mega-fight will reportedly earn Joshua $60 million (£47 million). And if successful - more money, more potential glory - in a showdown with Fury.
There will be comparisons in this performance against the Finn, with Wilder, a former WBC heavyweight champion, who knocked Helenius out in one round last October. Joshua, it seems, is rebuilding in this growing, six-month relationship Dallas-based trainer Derrick James after having beaten Jermaine Franklin under the American coach here in April.
“Ignore it,” Joshua had said of the multi-million pound carrot being dangled to fight ‘Bronze Bomber’ Wilder. “One step at a time,” Joshua had said before this performance, now part of the masterplan and the huge financial underwriting game the Saudi Arabian’s are bringing together, including current WBC champion Tyson Fury against former UFC mixed martial arts heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, which will take place in the Middle East in October. All four big names in the heavyweight division - Joshua, Wilder, Fury and Oleksandr Usyk - will be matched up against each other in that part of the world next year.
Earlier, two veteran heavyweights Derek Chisora, 39, and Gerald Washington, 41, battled in an entertaining contest in which the old British war horse - accompanied by his daughters on his ring walk - gave his all in a close 10-round fight with his right eye cut early in the fight, the American controlling the range, tying up the home fighter and landing powerfully with uppercuts in the early rounds. Chisora came back in the middle rounds to win by unanimous decision. Intriguingly, Washington has a knockout win over Helenius on his record.
On a card replete with heavyweight contests, undefeated Croatian Filip Hrgovic stopped Australian southpaw Demsey McKean, the winner now in line to challenge either Usyk or Daniel Dubois, based on the outcome of Usyk’s defence of the IBF, WBA and WBO title in Poland in two weeks’ time. Hrgovic, now the IBF mandatory challenger, is unbeaten in 16 professional fights since claiming a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. McKean’s name had been linked to Joshua as a potential replacement opponent last week. And popular London heavyweight ’Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher stopped Harry Armstrong in round seven in his tenth fight, the 24-year-old prospect claiming the Southern Area heavyweight title against his 30-year-old adversary, to the delight of his growing ‘Bosh Army’.
A week ago, Helenius was in action winning by knockout in a 15th century medieval castle in Finland. A week later, ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ filled the brief and became the victim of a rejuvenated Joshua. Now Wilder awaits with dynamite in his hands in the dunes, in a difficult, difficult fight early next year. And if Joshua can pull off the improbable in the Middle East, that richest British blockbuster fight of all times with ‘Gypsy King’ Fury could be on the cards again – for a third time – late in the summer of 2024.
Joshua v Helenius, as it happened
Anthony Joshua: "People need to leave me alone"
Speaking in the ring after his knockout victory, Anthony Joshua said: “People need to leave me alone, this is my time in the ring. Let me keep doing what I want to do.”
The British boxer also paid his respect to Helenius. “Helenius, I told him to come again. I think he can cause people a lot of problem,” he said. “I don’t want to say too much. I want to see you again two more times this year. Thanks to Eddie [Hearn].”
Joshua fans will hope his victory now opens the door to a potential bout with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia next year.
Round 7
Knockout!
Joshua lands an expolosive right hand and Helenius drops like a stone.
Joshua is already out of the ring. He thinks it’s all over!
![Anthony Joshua lands a brutal knockout with his right hand](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345643970_16918810181030_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqLiZnSJs8x6dOfuqFtiWqEYcVDYQgraobqQUfClveac8.jpeg?imwidth=350)
![Anthony Joshua reacts - Anthony Joshua claims eighth seventh KO against Robert Helenius - latest reaction](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345643928_16918810667100_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf_4Xpit_DMGvdp2n7FDd82k.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Round 6
Half-way through the bout, and Joshua is clearly on top. But anything short of a knockout will leave his fans disappointed.
Joshua continues to work his jabs to the body, but is he is yet to string together the sort of lethal combination that can open up Helenius.
He has Helenius in the corner though for the first time in this fight, but the Finn goes for the bear hug and escapes Joshua’s approach.
Helenius is blowing at the end of this round.
Round 5
Joshua starts to turn the screw, landing a big left hook after working the body.
But again, Helenius bounces back, shooting a big right hand, another left hand to the chin and then a jab. The shots to he head are adding up here for both fighters.
AJ then strikes back with another big left hook. He will want to end things soon if he can, but the more he goes for it, the more blows Helenius is landing.To be fair to Helenius, he is boxing smartly here. keeping Joshua at arms length.
The crowd roar when Joshua lands another big left hook, but the round peters out.
Can Joshua pull off a sixth round knockout?
Round 4
Joshua lands some powerful body shots to start the round with his left hand.
He follows up with a big right hand that catches Helenius on the nose.
Joshua looks like he’s going for it here and swipes at thin air with a wayward left hook. It may not have landed, but the crowd will enjoy the intent.
Helenius’ nose has been bloodied by that right hand from Joshua, but the Finnish fighter doesn’t look rattled just yet.
Another round goes by without the knockout Joshua so desperately wants.
![Joshua body shot](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345642302_16918799125900_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqeK8ehqBZJSTiVTgumtathQRSGxdwZZ3YY7Uv4oTmABQ.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Round 3
Joshua voiced concerns he was leaning back too much to trainer Derrick James at the last break.
He now needs to get his feet closer to Helenius. And he does, landing his first big right hand!
Can he follow up with the intensity of the Joshua of old?
Despite Joshua’s good shot, it is he who ends the round with what looks like a blown up eye from the jab of Helenius.
Round 2
So many had hoped for a first round knockout by Joshua to match Deontay Wilder’s performance against Helenius - but it was not to be.
Joshua will hope to land an empathic blow soon here, while Helenius will be happy to frustrate the Briton.
Helenius lands a couple of body shots, and Joshua shows flashes of his powerful right hand, but neither fighter has landed a solid blow to the head as of yet.
Round 1
Joshua is immediately on the front front here, but Helenius uses his feet and shows flashes of his powerful left jab.
Helenius feints with his eyes but Joshua uses his snappy jab to build pressure - his speed and extra reach will be key here.
Helenius has landed a couple of decent body shots, showing confidence to drop his hands against an opponent as imposing as Joshua.
No first round knockout for Joshua as had been hoped for by many.
![Joshua jabs to the body](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345642106_16918794351950_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqihVibxPbOwKDCDIL8LViR6S-UyG44at75VysheuSlvg.jpeg?imwidth=350)
It's time for the ring walks!
In a sold-out O2 Arena, it’s Anthony Joshua and Robert Helenius up next.
The fight should get underway in the next few minutes with David Haye predicting a knockout victory for Joshua.
Robert Helenius marches out first to some rather ominous sounding music and enters the ring.
Derek Chisora wins by unanimous decision!
The judges score the contest 98-93, 97-94 and 96-94 all for Chisora.
A stunning unanimous decision for the Briton!
Both fighters embrace afterwards with Washington whispering a message in his ear - a sign of respect between the two veteran boxers.
![Derek Chisora celebrates victory - Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius live: Latest updates from the O2 Arena](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345640042_16918774822580_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqe8exRwkrG0gUQzS_A7vs-LxlL4JJZFr6G2BGlsAngeI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Chisora and Washington rumble on
Into the ninth round here, and the two veteran fighters - with 80 years of age between them - are still slugging it out.
Chisora, the younger of the two at 39, looks tired, with Washington landing some powerful shots towards the end of the seventh round.
This next encounter could be a turning point if either fighter still has enough energy left in the tank...
![Chisora takes a punch - Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius live: Latest updates from the O2 Arena](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345639149_16918767277040_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqA7N2CxnJWnYI3tCbVBgu9T0aesusvN1TE7a0ddd_esI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Conor McGregor's prediction
Conor McGregor has weighed in to give his verdict on tonight’s main card fight between Anthony Joshua and Robert Helenius.
While McGregor conceded that Helenius is a “tough guy”, the Irish MMA fighter seemed to tip Joshua, describing him as as “bad man”.
No word yet on how McGregor’s prediction will affect the odds...
Chisora blood problems continue
We’re at the start of the fourth round here and Chisora looks on top, but the gash above his right eye is still causing him problems.
The referee, who took a further look at the cut at the start of this round, looks like a Smithfield butcher with Chisora’s blood smeared up his left arm.
![Derek Chisora looks on - Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius live: Latest updates from the O2 Arena](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345637215_16918755111820_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqA7N2CxnJWnYI3tCbVBgu9T0aesusvN1TE7a0ddd_esI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Chisora’s questionable attire..
Decked out in a sparkling pink gown with the slogan “girl dad” emblazoned on the back and sporting a satin, pink face wrap, The 39-year-old walked into the arena to the dulcet tones of Hotel California by The Eagles.
It might not be the macho persona one might expect from a veteran heavyweight boxer, but Chisora won’t mind.
The fight is about to get underway...
![Chisora's sparkling outfit](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/boxing/2023/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000345636005_16918755612290_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq44rdSC6sTNv0-awk2LQJvkR8YSybYNWDTYrGStsI8ko.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Derek Chisora up next...
British fighter Derek Chisora steps into the ring to take on 41-year-old American Gerald Washington.
Interestingly, both of these fighters have faced Robert Helenius before.
Washington stopped the Finn in the eight round of their content four years ago.
Meanwhile, Chisora lost to him in a split decision in 2011.
AJ has been undone by short-notice opponents before...
When Robert Helenius received a call asking him to fight Anthony Joshua, the 39-year-old had just finished competing in front of a small crowd at a 15th century Finnish castle.
Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna can hold around 2,300 and is a popular opera venue. Indeed, the ring for the bout was set up on stage.
To follow this up with a fight at the O2 Arena less than a week later may sound like an unlikely turn events for the so-called ‘Nordic Nightmare’. But if he were to claim victory tonight, it would not be the first time Joshua has been tripped up by a short-notice wild card.
In 2019, Joshua was the custodian of two world championship belts, the scourge of Wladimir Klitschko and one of the most widely popular figures in British sport when his challenger Jarrell Miller failed a drugs test.
Instead, Joshua faced up against roly-poly Anthony Ruiz Jr. In seven rounds, what had seemed an almost comically easy victory for Joshua turned into the biggest upset of his career - one from which he has arguably never recovered.
For more on how Joshua has adapted at short notice to fight Helinius, check out Gareth A Davies’ piece here.
Joshua's no-win situation
At 33 years of age, AJ’s best years of boxing may be behind him - he certainly isn’t getting any younger.
But if he is to keep any hopes alive of a return to the big time through a bout with fellow former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder, he simply must win tonight - and do so emphatically.
For more on AJ’s predicament, check out Gareth A Davies’ deep dive here.
Joshua is in the building..
A smiling Anthony Joshua has arrived at the O2 Arena.
The former heavyweight champion greeted trainer Derrick James with a fist bump, as both coach and fighter appeared relaxed.
For a deep dive into the mental rebuilding Joshua has undergone to prepare for big fights like tonight, check out Gareth A Davies’ analysis here.
His challengers Helenius arrived a short while ago.
The Joshua Helenius weigh in became heated...
An unusually confrontational Anthony Joshua offered to fight Robert Helenius “now”, rather than waiting for this evening, as the pair weighed in for their bout yesterday.
The exchange came as the former heavyweight champion engaged his replacement opponent in a long, intense stare-down.
“You got a problem with me?” Joshua asked Helenius.
In a swift rejoinder, the Finn told Joshua: “I don’t got a problem with you.”
Having just weighed in at Westfield London shopping centre, Joshua told his opponent: “We’re going to fight now or we’re going to fight tomorrow. Either way we’re going to fight.”
He instructed Helenius to “stop acting up”, adding: “Let’s stay calm, let’s stay cool.”
The exchange stood in sharp contrast to Wednesday’s respectful news conference, where both men shook hands.
Promoter Eddie Hearn described the weigh-in as a “spicy” appetiser for this evening’s bout.
When does the fight start?
The ring walk for the Joshua fight is scheduled for around 10.40pm (BST). However, these timings may change depending on the length of the undercard fights.
These got underway at 7pm with Britain’s Dereck Chisora due to fight American Gerald Washington.
Stay with us to keep up with the action in the build up to the AJ’s bout!
A must-win fight for Joshua
Hello and welcome to coverage of a huge night in the career of Anthony Joshua.
The former champion fights Robert Helenius at London’s O2 Arena this evening after his original opponent Dillian Whyte failed a drugs test with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
The talk surrounding Joshua, like for many of his recent fights, is about what’s next and there are talks about a fight with Deontay Wilderat the end of this year or at the start of 2024.
An eagerly-anticipated future bout between two former world heavyweight champions will only happen if Joshua shuts out the noise to do the business against Helenius, who suffered a first-round knock-out to Wilder in October.
“I have to ignore it. It is one step at a time,” Joshua insisted when asked about ex-WBC belt holder Wilder. “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.”
Joshua repeated the same sentiments before a laboured display on his way to a unanimous points victory against Jermaine Franklin in April, which got the Finchley boxer back on the comeback trail, but his preparation for this 29th contest of his career has been far from ideal.
Last weekend, Joshua trained knowing it could all be for nothing after he discovered on Saturday morning that Whyte had been pulled from the show but Friday’s fiery weigh-in exchange with Helenius showed he is locked in.
Joshua tipped the scales at 17st and 12lbs, while Helenius was a pound lighter, before the duo exchanged words - with the British heavyweight inviting his veteran opponent to fight there and then instead of 24 hours later if he wished.
Joshua admitted: “There was one session where I was like, ‘what are we training for?’ We trained on Saturday and maybe then I felt what am I training for, but we just had to flip the coin. “I could spend more time complaining about it, due to this late replacement whoever it might be, but I couldn’t put my energy into complaining. I had to change the script.”