Joshua vs Helenius LIVE!
Anthony Joshua returned to action on Saturday night with a brutal one-punch knockout of Robert Helenius. This was originally supposed to be the second grudge match against long-time London rival Dillian Whyte for AJ, though that showdown was immediately cancelled last week after Whyte returned “adverse analytical findings” in a random anti-doping test.
That led to Matchroom Boxing having to scramble to find a replacement to salvage the main event, with Nordic Nightmare Helenius, a former two-time European champion, getting the call despite having only fought last weekend in an early stoppage of Mika Mielonen in a castle in his native Finland. That was the 39-year-old’s first outing since being brutally knocked out in the first round by Deontay Wilder last year, while he was sent to the canvas again in shuddering fashion here as Joshua teed up a mammoth bout with Wilder with a crushing right hand in the seventh.
There was plenty of heavyweight action on Saturday’s undercard too, with Derek Chisora outpointing Gerald Washington for his 34th career win in a sluggish contest between two veterans. Filip Hrgovic stopped Demsey McKean late to retain his IBF mandatory status after a huge stoppage win for new area champion Johnny Fisher, plus another impressive step up from young Campbell Hatton and early victories for George Liddard, Brandon Scott and Maiseyrose Courtney. Follow Joshua vs Helenius reaction live with Standard Sport’s blog below!
