In a heavyweight showdown on Saturday, Anthony Joshua, the former world champion, took seven rounds to defeat his substitute opponent Robert Helenius.
During the early rounds, Joshua appeared sluggish, drawing jeers from his London audience. However, he ended the bout with a thunderous knockout of Finland's Helenius at the O2 Arena.
Joshua's triumph keeps him on track for a potential match against fellow former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. "Give me space to excel in the ring," Joshua told DAZN. "Allow me to continue doing what I love. Helenius, I encouraged him to come back. I believe he could pose significant challenges."
Speaking about a potential bout with Wilder, Joshua playfully quipped, "My back hurts, is there a doctor around? I want to elevate this heavyweight division to new heights!
Helenius stepped in as a replacement after fighting in Finland the previous weekend, as Dillian Whyte was removed due to "adverse analytical findings" in a doping test, preventing an all-British clash.
Although Helenius, 39 years old, with 32 wins and four losses in his professional career, was previously knocked out by Wilder in the first round in October, he managed to avoid a similar fate on Saturday. Despite Joshua's cautious start, boos resounded from the packed arena during the third round.
Joshua, however, connected with a left hook and later struck Helenius with a right to the face in the same round. The local favorite once again rocked Helenius in the fourth round, while the veteran managed to land a jab on Joshua.
The fifth round saw Helenius with a bloodied nose, and although Joshua made him stumble with a left uppercut, he weathered through an uneventful sixth round. Joshua finally delivered what his fans had been waiting for, knocking out Helenius with a powerful right-hand punch in the seventh.
Helenius briefly remained motionless but eventually rose to his feet, acknowledging Joshua's sportsmanship by touching gloves as a sign of respect.
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