Former heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua overcomes hurdles, knocks out Helenius in spectacular comeback.
Former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua silenced his critics with a resounding victory, blocking out jeers from the O2 Arena crowd to secure a spectacular seventh-round stoppage against Robert Helenius.
The win keeps Joshua on track for a future clash with Deontay Wilder in the new year.
Joshua's journey back to the top took another step forward as he dispatched the Finnish veteran Helenius with a thunderous right hand, sending him sprawling to the canvas 1 minute and 27 seconds into the seventh round.
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Despite a slow start that drew whistles and boos from the crowd in rounds three and six, Joshua demonstrated his prowess and determination with a show-stopping finish.
The match, which had originally been slated as a showdown against fellow British heavyweight Dillian Whyte, took an unexpected turn when Whyte was withdrawn from the event due to "adverse analytical findings" in his doping test.
Helenius stepped in as a last-minute replacement, but all eyes remained fixed on Joshua's future plans, with negotiations underway for a bout against Deontay Wilder.
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Promoter Eddie Hearn unveiled an ambitious three-fight plan for Joshua, confirming, "It was Helenius, first Dillian Whyte and then Helenius, and now Wilder and then Tyson Fury. That is the ambition."
Hearn's announcement set the stage for what could be a momentous year ahead in the heavyweight division.
Joshua, addressing his detractors in a post-fight interview, expressed his gratitude to Helenius for stepping up and saving the show.
"I just want to give a big round of applause for Robert Helenius for taking this fight," Joshua stated.
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In response to the scrutiny he has faced, Joshua declared, "People need to leave me alone. This is my time in the ring. Let me breathe. The guy has got talent, I had to figure him out because he was a late replacement and I want to thank him for saving the show."
With his stunning victory over Helenius and his sights set on upcoming battles against Wilder and Fury, Anthony Joshua's journey back to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division promises to be a captivating saga, brimming with excitement and high-stakes drama.