The anticipation for the rematch between former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua and his long-time rival Dillian Whyte had been building up.
It had been eight years since their first thrilling encounter as professionals, a bout that had followed their clashes in the amateur ranks.
However, excitement turned to disappointment when it was revealed over the weekend that Whyte had returned an “adverse finding” from a doping test.
Consequently, the much-anticipated fight had to be abruptly canceled.
This left Joshua’s team with the daunting task of finding a replacement opponent at the eleventh hour, in order to salvage the entire event.
Enter Robert Helenius: A Swift Change of Plans
Stepping up to the challenge was Robert Helenius, a boxer who had recently emerged victorious in his comeback fight against compatriot Mika Mielonen.
Held in a 15th-century castle on an island in Finland, Helenius’ win earned him the opportunity to face Joshua.
Known as the “Nordic Nightmare,” Helenius is a two-time European champion who previously faced Dillian Whyte and had a close encounter in 2017, losing on points.
Helenius had also suffered a brutal first-round defeat at the hands of Deontay Wilder in New York the previous year.
The Road Ahead for Joshua
While Joshua holds aspirations of a future mega-fight against Deontay Wilder scheduled for January in Saudi Arabia, his immediate focus is on Robert Helenius.
It’s imperative for Joshua to secure a convincing victory against Helenius.
In his previous fight against Jermaine Franklin, Joshua had displayed a subdued performance, a departure from the dominant style that had propelled him to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division.
Reverting to his aggressive and formidable approach would not only secure a win against Helenius but also fortify his standing in preparation for upcoming battles against other top contenders.
The Date, Venue, and Fight Card
The scheduled date for the Joshua vs Helenius bout is Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the renowned O2 Arena in London.
The event is set to kick off with the undercard fights at 7pm BST, culminating in the main event ring walks at 10pm.
As with any live event, timing remains subject to potential changes.
The Undercard: A Showcase of Boxing Talent
Apart from the main event, the undercard features a lineup of exciting matches.
Filip Hrgovic, a contender for Oleksandr Usyk’s IBF heavyweight belt, faces off against unbeaten Australian Demsey McKean.
Additionally, Johnny Fisher, Derek Chisora, and Campbell Hatton are slated to compete, providing an opportunity for emerging talents to make their mark.
How to Watch Joshua vs Helenius
Fans can catch the Joshua vs Helenius showdown live and exclusively on DAZN, a sports streaming service.
Unlike the initially planned pay-per-view setup for the Whyte fight, the DAZN subscription offers access to the event at a monthly fee starting from £9.99 in the UK.
The live stream will be accessible through the DAZN app and website on various devices.
Predictions and Expectations
A last-minute change of opponent presents challenges for Joshua, given his history of a shock defeat against Andy Ruiz Jr.
The new opponent, Helenius, offers a different
physical challenge, being notably taller. This might prompt Joshua to adopt a cautious approach initially as he adapts to his adversary. Despite a series of less-than-convincing performances by Joshua, a swift knockout like Wilder’s against Helenius is unlikely.
However, Joshua’s improvements under his current trainer Derrick James, coupled with Eddie Hearn’s positive assessment of his form, are indicative of Joshua’s potential to regain his dominant form.
While the outcome remains uncertain, a gradual breakdown of Helenius, leading to a knockout victory by Joshua, is predicted, enhancing his confidence ahead of future high-stakes matches.
Weigh-In Results and Betting Odds
At the weigh-in, Joshua tipped the scales at 17st and 12lbs, just slightly heavier than Helenius at 17st and 11lbs.
In terms of betting odds, Joshua is heavily favored to win, with odds of 1/20 in his favor.
Helenius is an underdog with odds of 9/1 to win, and a draw is set at 25/1.
Betting options also include predictions of the winning method and round, highlighting the intrigue surrounding the fight.
Please note that all odds and details mentioned are subject to change.
