Matt Johnson

Anthony Joshua's Unexpected Battle: Facing Robert Helenius on Short Notice for Redemption

 Anthony Joshua, a former unified heavyweight campion, is attempting to regain his world title.

Joshua's original opponent, Dillian Whyte, failed a VADA pre-fight drug test, leading to a replacement fight against Robert Helenius.

1. Helenius is stepping in on short notice after his recent victory over Mika Mielonen.

Helenius

Flight Path

Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, expressed disappointment about the change in opponents but highlighted the importance of thorough drug testing.

Helenius suffered a first-round knockout loss to Deontay Wilder in October 2022, which halted his momentum after defeating Adam Kownacki.

Joshua is aiming to rebuild after losing his titles to Oleksandr Usyk and seeks to regain prominence in the heavyweight division.

Joshua won his first post-Usyk fight against Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision, though it received criticism for its lack of excitement.

Joshua won his first post-Usyk fight

Flight Path

Joshua emphasizes the significance of continuing to fight regardless of wins or losses, and he is eager to face Wilder and Fury again.

Joshua's goal is to return to high-profile fights against opponents like Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.

The undercard of the Joshua-Helenius fight includes other heavyweight matchups, featuring fighters like Filip Hrgovic, Demsey McKean, Derek Chisora, and Gerald Washington.

Helenius is stepping in on less than one week's notice after Dillian Whyte failed a VADA pre-fight drug test.

Can't get enough boxing and MMA? Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and in-depth news.

The goal for Joshua is to land back in big fights, such as a clash with fellow former champion Wilder or an all-England clash with WBC champion Tyson Fury.