It’s been a whirlwind week for Anthony Joshua 25-3 (22).
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion had to wait until Tuesday to see if he would be fighting this weekend after his original opponent Dillian Whyte 29-3 (19) was a late scratching on Saturday after testing positive to performance enhancing drugs.
Thankfully the card at the O2 Arena in London, England was saved when Finland’s Robert ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ Helenius 32-4 (21) stepped up to the place for what will be his second fight within a week.
Late replacements have a habit of surprising their opponents, but for Joshua it’s just the same old song.
“The principles remain the same, worry about myself,” the 33-year-old Brit said. “Robert and I sparred years ago, we shared the ring, but I’ve sparred with so may styles, competed with so many styles, the objective remains the same – victory, and victory by any means.
“There’s no overtime in boxing so I have to be on my A-game and inflict pain to get the victory. It would be silly to underestimate him, or anyone. I have to take him deadly serious and credit to him, he’s coming to roll the dice, he wants to win.
“Other heavyweights that were mentioned, finance is an issue – risk versus reward, but in reality, that’s not all there is for him, so good luck to him, and shout out to everyone in Finland, I’ve been there before and we’re looking to provide some good entertainment from top to bottom as the card is unbelievable.”
At 39, this could be the last great opportunity for Helenius, who parlayed back-to-back knockout victories over Adam Kownacki 20-4 (15) into a shot at former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder 43-2-1 (42) last year. The explosive American knocked him out cold in the opening round.
“Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” said Helenius, who knocked out previously undefeated Mika Mielonen 6-1 (6) in three rounds in Finland on Saturday night.
“This fight offer came to me after my fight at the weekend. I was going on vacation with my family but not anymore, here we are.
“We had a good camp behind us, and we feel ready. I am ready to fight, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I respect him, he’s a good fighter. It’s going to be glorious.
“I’ve been chasing the world title for 15 years and when you get this big of an opportunity you can’t let it slip and I will give everything to win this fight.”
The fight is not without risk to Joshua, who will be jeopardising a big money fight with Wilder in Saudi Arabia in a few months time if he loses.
But ring activity, says Joshua, is the key to being ready for Wilder.
“I looked at the momentum I need, even if I am going to fight in December. I need to build momentum,” Joshua said.
“I kind of cancelled the end-of-the-year fight [for now]. Looking back at previous negotiations with leading heavyweights in the division it’s always been complicated, back and forths, and never materialised.
“Since 2019, this is the first time I am having [multiple fights in the same year]. Crazy. That’s not good for any fighter. Inactivity is not good. Look, my last fight with Jermaine Franklin – [a unanimous decision win in April] – no knockout, maybe not the most spectacular performance, but at least I’m starting to get active again.
“Fighting once a year, you become soft. You’re not as tough as you once were, so I am getting that battle skin again. That will be really good for me. If I win in spectacular fashion, it’s a massive confidence booster.
“It gives me and [new trainer] Derrick [James] more bonding time as we perfect our craft. It’s what I am supposed to be doing as a warrior, on the battlefield conquering. I’m living my dream.”
