Anthony Joshua and Robert Helenius battle it out in the primary occasion at The O2 Area in London, England on Saturday, August 12. Forward of their 12-round showdown, British former two-time unified WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion and Finnish heavyweight contender hosted a press convention, previewed their bout and went nose to nose. Boxing followers worldwide can watch the combat dwell stream on DAZN.
Joshua was initially scheduled to face Dillian Whyte dwell on pay-per-view. Helenius took the combat on a brief discover, changing Jamaica-born contender after a failed drug check.
“It’s an evening of Heavy Obligation motion at The O2 in London, with Anthony Joshua now dealing with ‘The Nordic Nightmare’, 6ft 9in Robert Helenius as ‘AJ’ appears to maneuver on to a number of the largest fights within the division, and the undercard is stacked with a number of the largest, baddest and finest Heavyweights on the planet, together with a few of our youngest expertise,” stated Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman. “We all know the problems of the previous few days and it’s by no means straightforward to suppose in your toes and adapt, however the instruction from Anthony Joshua was clear, ‘I’m able to combat and I wish to combat on Saturday.’”
“We now have to thank our broadcast accomplice DAZN. The nice information for subscribers that that is now not pay-per-view – unbelievable worth for combat followers to have the ability to watch ‘AJ’ in a giant combat with an awesome undercard, so thanks to them for his or her assist as we now have not solely ‘AJ’ that wished to combat on Saturday, however all these undercard fighters which have had lengthy coaching camps too, and as everyone knows, you solely receives a commission if you combat.”
“It’s been a difficult few days and I wish to thank ‘AJ’, who stayed targeted after placing 12 weeks of exhausting work into his camp and was determined to combat on Saturday evening and showcase the hardwork that happened, and Robert Helenius, who accepted the problem and has an excellent staff of individuals round him we knew wouldn’t fiddle, and we knew he was match and had simply boxed. This is a crucial combat at The O2.”
Anthony Joshua: It could be foolish to underestimate him, or anybody
Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs) final fought in April when he scores a unanimous resolution towards Jermaine Franklin. With the victory, the 33-year-old of Watford, Hertfordshire bought again to profitable methods after struggling again to again defeats towards reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk.
“I appeared on the undercard and I understand how vital it’s for them to compete. I understand how exhausting you (Eddie Hearn) labored, and all of the Matchroom employees, my coach, DAZN, so it’s a duty I’ve. Late replacements aren’t ultimate but it surely’s the third time it’s occurred. A protracted profession will current all these obstacles and I’ve simply bought to get used to them, it’s simply one other rock in my shoe to the highest of the mountain.”
“The ideas stay the identical, fear about myself. Robert and I sparred years in the past, we shared the ring, however I’ve sparred with so could kinds, competed with som many kinds, the target stays the identical – victory, and victory by any means. There’s no extra time in boxing so I’ve to be on my A-game and inflict ache to get the victory.”
“Coming off the again of Covid, everybody suffered throughout that interval. The game business slowed down and now we simply wish to get some momentum going once more. As Derrick [James, trainer of AJ] stated, I got here out to camp early this 12 months, I took a few weeks, possibly a month again within the UK then went to Dallas, to attempt to progress on. So, my objective was to combat as many instances as doable, like Robert, he fought on Saturday, you must keep energetic, maintain expressing your ability as that’s the one approach to enhance. I fought in April, however I’ve spent lots of time within the ring within the fitness center as we do lots of ring work in Dallas, and that’s the closest factor to a combat. It’s not simply hitting the baggage and mitts, there’s lots of fight coaching so I’m bodily prepared.”
“It could be foolish to underestimate him, or anybody. I’ve to take him lethal critical and credit score to him, he’s coming to roll the cube, he desires to win. Different heavyweights that had been talked about, finance is a matter – threat versus reward, however in actuality, that’s not all there’s for him, so good luck to him, and shout out to everybody in Finland, I’ve been there earlier than, and we’re trying to present some good leisure from prime to backside as the cardboard is unbelievable.”
“The cardboard is phenomenal, it’s the previous days at The O2 and that is what we wish to deliver, it’s leisure. It’s not ‘I’m popping out to observe Anthony Joshua’, no, it’s ‘I’m popping out to observe a Matchroom present, an awesome evening of boxing’, so credit score to everybody concerned on this.”
Robert Helenius: I’ve been chasing the world title for 15 years
Mariehamn, Finland-based Robert Helenius (32-4, 21 KOs) was in motion earlier this month when he stopped Mika Mielonen within the third spherical. In October 2022, the 39-year-old native of Stockholm, Sweden was stopped by former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder within the first spherical.
“Thanks for giving me this chance. This combat supply got here to me after my combat on the weekend. I used to be happening trip with my household however not anymore, right here we’re. We had an excellent camp behind us, and we really feel prepared. I’m able to combat, in any other case I wouldn’t be right here. I respect him, he’s an excellent fighter. It’s going to be wonderful. I’ve been chasing the world title for 15 years and if you get this large of a possibility you possibly can’t let it slip and I’ll give every little thing to win this combat.”
In Australia, Joshua vs Helenius airs dwell on Sunday, August 13.