Matthew McConaughey's Spoken Recap of the Article
ANTHONY JOSHUA returns to the ring TONIGHT for a thrilling slump-fest against replacement opponent Robert Helenius! The winner of this match will face Deontay Wilder in a blockbuster showdown in Saudi Arabia next year.
JOSHUA'S RIVALRY WITH DILLIAN WHYTE CUT SHORT
Joshua was initially scheduled to rematch Dillian Whyte, but the fight was called off after Whyte failed a drug test. Promoter Eddie Hearn had to scramble to find a substitute to salvage the event, and that's when they landed on Helenius, who just fought last weekend in a historic castle.
CHALLENGER'S CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION
Joshua needs to avoid slipping up against Helenius, who suffered a crushing knockout in just 40 seconds at the hands of Wilder last October. Helenius's victory, on the other hand, could skyrocket his career and earn him a life-changing payday.
When is the Fight?
The Joshua vs Helenius fight is happening TONIGHT - Saturday, August 12, at the O2 Arena in London. The main card is set to start at 7pm BST, with the main event ring-walks likely starting around 10.30pm BST.
Trainers in their Corners
Joshua is now trained by Derrick James, a highly regarded coach who has also trained Errol Spence Jr and Jermell Charlo. Helenius, on the other hand, is coached by Johan Lindstrom, who has been in his corner for a long time.
No Titles on the Line, But Plenty at Stake
There are no official titles on the line for this fight, but for Joshua, a victory means a shot at Wilder and potential retirement if he fails. Helenius, meanwhile, has the opportunity to become a superstar overnight and secure another lucrative payday.
Last Fight for Joshua and Helenius
Joshua's last fight was a careful unanimous decision win against Jermaine Franklin, making it his first victory since 2020. Helenius, on the other hand, made a triumphant return with a third-round stoppage win after recovering from his devastating loss to Wilder.
Why was the Dillian Whyte Fight Cancelled?
The Joshua vs Whyte fight was called off because Whyte failed a drug test. Matchroom released a statement confirming the cancellation and the launch of a full investigation. It was revealed that Whyte had two failed tests with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
How to Watch the Fight
The Joshua vs Helenius fight will be shown on DAZN in the UK. The original plan was to have the fight as a DAZN PPV event, but it has been included in the standard subscription. Viewers can choose a monthly subscription for £9.99, an upfront fee of £99.99 for the year, or a flexible pass worth £19.99 a month. The event will be available to live stream via the DAZN app on mobile and tablet devices, and Sky will also have fight coverage through channel 429 - the DAZN channel.
Joshua vs Helenius Full Card
- Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius
- Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington
- Filip Hrgovic vs. Demsey McKean
- Johnny Fisher vs. Harry Armstrong
- George Liddard vs. Radek Rousal
- Maisey Rose Courtney vs. Gemma Ruegg
- Campbell Hatton vs. Tom Ansell
What They've Said
"This fight offer came to me five minutes after my fight at the weekend. I was going on a vacation with my family but not anymore," said Helenius. "Luckily I had a good training camp, so I feel ready. It's going to be glorious. When you get this big an opportunity, you can't let it slip. I will give everything in my power to win this fight."
"I didn't want to let anyone down," said Joshua. "Late replacements aren't ideal, but a long career will present these kinds of obstacles. This is just another rock in my shoe on the way to the top of the mountain."
