Anthony Joshua news LIVE: AJ and Robert Helenius weigh in ahead of heavyweight fight
Joshua will fight Helenius, who steps in on short notice, after Whyte’s ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test
Anthony Joshua will fight Robert Helenius on Saturday, after original opponent Dillian Whyte returned an ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test last week.
Joshua vs Whyte 2 would have been a rematch eight years in the making, with “AJ” having knocked out his fellow Briton in 2015 to avenge an amateur defeat by Whyte. However, Saturday’s rematch at the O2 Arena in London fell through when Whyte, 35, failed a doping test last week. Whyte has maintained his innocence, while it was initially unclear whether Joshua, 33, would still compete on Saturday. But his promoter Eddie Hearn then teased an announcement on Tuesday (8 August), with fans learning that Helenius will replace Whyte.
Helenius, 39, is a Finnish heavyweight who appeared to retire in October after being knocked out by Deontay Wilder in the first round. However, he returned just last weekend with a TKO win over Mika Mielonen. Meanwhile, Joshua – a former two-time world heavyweight champion – last boxed in April, beating Jermaine Franklin on points at the O2 to bounce back from two straight losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Follow live updates below.
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Joshua vs Helenius weigh-ins LIVE
A long, intense staredown...
Both fighters look in good shape, especially Joshua.
Joshua vs Helenius weigh-ins LIVE
Robert Helenius hits the scales at 249.4lbs!
Now here comes Anthony Joshua... 250lbs exactly!
Barely anything to separate these two in terms of weight.
Joshua vs Helenius weigh-ins LIVE
ANOTHER heavyweight fight is official: Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington. Expect fireworks.
Who is fighting on the Joshua vs Helenius undercard this weekend?
Here’s all you need to know as ‘AJ’ faces the Finn on short notice
Joshua vs Helenius weigh-ins LIVE
The co-main event, a heavyweight affair between Filip Hrgovic and Demsey McKean, is also made official!
Who is fighting on the Joshua vs Helenius undercard this weekend?
Here’s all you need to know as ‘AJ’ faces the Finn on short notice
Joshua vs Helenius weigh-ins LIVE
Heavyweights Johnny Fisher and Harry Armstrong tip the scales! Their clash is on.
Who is fighting on the Joshua vs Helenius undercard this weekend?
Here’s all you need to know as ‘AJ’ faces the Finn on short notice
Joshua vs Helenius weigh-ins LIVE
Campbell Hatton, arriving in a Manchester City top, and Tom Ansell make weight for their super-lightweight bout.
You can read our interview with Campbell, son of British boxing icon Ricky, below. You can also watch our chat at the top of the article:
Campbell Hatton: ‘I used to have my nappy changed on the ring apron!’
Exclusive interview: As the son of British boxing icon Ricky Hatton, Campbell was immersed in the sport from day one
Joshua vs Helenius weigh-ins LIVE
The middleweight clash between George Liddard and Bas Oosterweghel is official!
Liddard dons a West Ham jersey after tipping the scales.
Who is fighting on the Joshua vs Helenius undercard this weekend?
Here’s all you need to know as ‘AJ’ faces the Finn on short notice
Joshua vs Helenius weigh-ins LIVE
Brandon Scott and Louis Norman are also on weight, ahead of their featherweight bout.
Who is fighting on the Joshua vs Helenius undercard this weekend?
Here’s all you need to know as ‘AJ’ faces the Finn on short notice
Joshua vs Helenius weigh-ins LIVE
Maisey Rose Courtney and Gemma Ruegg’s super-flyweight clash is official!
Who is fighting on the Joshua vs Helenius undercard this weekend?
Here’s all you need to know as ‘AJ’ faces the Finn on short notice
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