Boxing – Anthony Joshua v Robert Helenius – O2 Enviornment, London, Britain – August 12, 2023 Antonhy Joshua knocks down Robert Helenius Motion Photographs by way of Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
LONDON–Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua beat Finnish stand-in Robert Helenius with a seventh spherical single-punch knockout on Saturday to maintain himself on monitor for a profitable payday towards American Deontay Wilder subsequent yr.
Helenius, stepping in after Britain’s Dillian Whyte was dominated out of the non-title struggle by a dope take a look at every week in the past, lasted longer than anticipated however crashed to the canvas one minute and 27 seconds into the spherical.
Among the crowd at London’s 02, who had grown stressed with some booing already within the third spherical, had been heading for the exit by then as Joshua did not ship instant fireworks.
The massive Briton regarded nervous and stiff firstly and unusually tentative when Helenius, who fought in Finland solely every week in the past, gave the impression to be out on his legs and prepared for the taking.
Joshua climbed straight out of the ring with out saying a phrase after referee Victor Loughlin stopped the competition.
Right here he comes @TheNotoriousMMA 🇮🇪#JoshuaHelenius pic.twitter.com/lk3sPVlIzw
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 12, 2023
He then fist-bumped followers, stopping to share a swig of a drink with watching former UFC champion Conor McGregor, earlier than stepping again contained in the ropes.
Helenius in the meantime acquired medical consideration and a few oxygen earlier than getting again on his ft.
“I knew this may occur, everybody’s speaking concerning the new AJ and the outdated AJ and after two or three rounds the gang begins to get just a little bit impatient,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn advised the BBC.
“He finds the measure of his proper hand and he delivers one of many knockouts of the yr on Robert Helenius… that is simply the AJ you’re going to see now.
“He’s nonetheless acquired to be extra aggressive than we noticed tonight however there’s rather a lot on the road.”
The knockout was the twenty third of Joshua’s profession, taking his document to 26 wins and three defeats, however his first since December 2020 when he beat Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in a WBA, IBO, IBF and WBO title defence in London.
Joshua misplaced these belts to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.
There was discuss of Joshua combating Wilder, the previous WBC champion, subsequent yr however the Briton must preserve successful to be talked about in the identical breath because the American and reigning champion Tyson Fury.
“It’s onerous for him to stand up for fights like this,” stated Hearn. “The Wilder fights, the Fury fights, that’s what he needs.”
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
Learn Subsequent
Do not miss out on the most recent information and data.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get entry to The Philippine Each day Inquirer & different 70+ titles, share as much as 5 devices, hearken to the information, obtain as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Name 896 6000.
For suggestions, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.