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Late replacements can sometimes be a banana peel in boxing, as Anthony Joshua knows better than most.
Joshua had been due to face Dillian Whyte in a rematch until the latter returned “adverse” findings from a random drugs test. Up steps Robert Helenius, who fought as recently as last Saturday.
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Helenius, however, poses hardly any threat at all, no matter how much Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn tries to dress him up as something he’s not. Or at least, he shouldn’t, if Joshua deals with him in the way everyone expects him to.
Expectation. The word that has followed Joshua like the plague ever since he turned pro after winning Olympic gold at London 2012. Once the fighter to beat in the heavyweight division, the former two-time world champion is rebuilding his career following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Victory over Helenius, we are assured, will pave the way to a potential showdown with Deontay Wilder, which is believed to be pencilled in for a January date in Saudi Arabia. Fans have long been calling for Joshua to fight Tyson Fury, but the bout has never materialised for various reasons. Defeat tonight will put paid to all of that.
The 39-year-old Finn was never the first choice – and that’s okay. You’re allowed to have a gimme opponent every now and then. Just don’t make a habit of it.
Joshua vs Helenius Odds
Joshua win 1/14
Helenius win 10/1
Draw 33/1
*Odds courtesy of Oddchecker are correct at the time of publication
Joshua vs Helenius
Date: Saturday 12 August
Venue: The O2 Arena in London
Fight time: Ring walks for the main event are expected around 10.41pm (UK time)
TV/live stream:DAZN, where subscriptions start from £9.99 a month
Undercard highlights: If knockouts are your thing, take your pick, as this night should be full of them
i predicts: Joshua to win by knockout in round five
Full card (subject to change):
Filip Hrgovic vs Demsey McKean
Johnny Fisher vs Harry Armstrong
Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington
Campbell Hatton vs Tom Ansell
George Liddard vs Bas Oosterweghel
Brandon Scott vs Louis Norman
Maiseyrose Courtney vs Gemma Ruegg
Anthony Joshua’s career has become one big joke
Joshua’s bout with 39-year-old Robert Helenius erodes more credibility (Photo: Getty)
By Kevin Garside, i‘s chief sports correspondent
Anthony Joshua Inc rolls on but what of Anthony Joshua the boxer? Joshua will now face Robert Helenius on Saturday night as a late replacement for Dillian Whyte, who returned adverse findings in a doping test. Saves the bill, keeps some money rolling in, satisfies broadcast objectives. However, for his career and for boxing it represents another downward shift, hammering away at trust and credibility.
Joshua’s world could hardly become more perverse. Whyte was a poor, compromised choice in the first place, filling a space in the schedule in the absence of anyone better. And now Joshua downgrades further with Helenius, who fought last Saturday, beating up on a novice in a scheduled eight-rounder that ended in three. Before that, the 39-year-old Finn was erased inside a round by Deontay Wilder.
How did it come to this? Somewhere on the journey, Joshua shifted from the sporting lane to business, seeing his career as a vehicle primarily for getting rich and not polishing a golden legacy. Fair enough, if that’s the game. But that won’t wash with a paying public being sold jeopardy. Like all combat sports, the action is predicated on the other bloke fighting back. There is no market for walkovers.
