Two-time former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua’s quest to reclaim a world title fight takes a surprising turn on Saturday. Originally set to face Dillian Whyte, Joshua will now step into the ring against late-replacement Robert Helenius at London’s O2 Arena. This sudden change in opponent comes after Whyte failed a VADA pre-fight drug test. What’s noteworthy is that the additional testing, beyond what the British Boxing Board of Control requires, revealed the presence of performance-enhancing drugs in Whyte’s system. Eddie Hearn, in an interview with IFL TV, expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the expected fight. Meanwhile, Helenius enters the bout with less than a week’s notice and a recent win over Mika Mielonen. However, it’s important to note that Helenius suffered a devastating first-round knockout loss to Deontay Wilder in October 2022, which interrupted his winning streak. As for Joshua, he aims to bounce back after his defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and is determined to regain his WBA, WBO, and IBF titles. While Joshua secured a victory in his post-Usyk fight against Jermaine Franklin, the match was met with criticism due to its lackluster nature. Despite the risks involved, Joshua remains undeterred and emphasizes the importance of continuing to fight regardless of win-loss records. He expresses his belief in himself and the need to persevere, even in the face of potential failure. Moving forward, Joshua’s goal is to secure big fights against the likes of Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury. To achieve this, he must handle Helenius with ease, considering that Wilder’s victory over Helenius was swift. The undercard also features notable European competitors, including Filip Hrgovic and Demsey McKean, who are seeking to establish themselves as heavyweight contenders. With Hrgovic’s unbeaten record and McKean’s determination, their match promises to be an intriguing co-main event. Veteran heavyweights Derek Chisora and Gerald Washington will also clash in another exciting bout. In terms of predictions, there is little doubt that Joshua is the favorite to win against Helenius. However, Joshua must exercise caution and maintain focus, as he has previously suffered an upset loss to Andy Ruiz. Ultimately, Joshua’s performance against Helenius will shape future possibilities for his career, particularly in terms of matchups against Wilder or Fury. The fight card includes other intriguing matchups and is set to take place at London’s O2 Arena, with the main card starting at 2 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action on DAZN. In conclusion, while Helenius presents a challenge for Joshua, the former champion is expected to secure a victory. The question remains whether Joshua can deliver an impressive performance and build anticipation for future clashes with top-tier opponents.
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