Anthony Joshua is set to face Robert Helenius in a heavyweight clash at the O2 Arena in London today, Saturday, August 12, 2023. The fight was originally scheduled to be against Dillian Whyte, but he withdrew from the contest following a positive drug test. The undercard is expected to get underway at 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET, with the ring walks for the main event set for 10 p.m. BST / 5 p.m. ET. As ever though, those timings are subject to change. [caption id="attachment_7879" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Anthony Joshua is set to face Robert Helenius in a heavyweight clash. | Credit: Boxingnews.[/caption]

The Undercard

The undercard features a number of exciting fights, including:

• Filip Hrgovic vs. Demsey McKean: Heavyweight
• Johnny Fisher vs. Harry Armstrong: Heavyweight
• Derek Chisora vs. Gerald Washington: Heavyweight
• Campbell Hatton vs. Tom Ansell: Super-lightweight
• George Liddard vs. Bas Oosterweghel: Middleweight
• Brandon Scott vs. Louis Norman: Featherweight
• Maiseyrose Courtney vs. Gemma Ruegg: Super-flyweight.

Filip Hrgovic is fighting undefeated Australian Demsey McKean, who was linked to a battle with Tyson Fury earlier this summer. Hrgovic is next in line to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the IBF heavyweight title. The renowned Johnny Fisher is also there, while Derek Chisora squares off against Gerald Washington in a fight between two division veterans and Campbell Hatton steps up in the biggest challenge of his brief career to date.   At the press conference, Joshua expressed his thoughts on the forthcoming bout:

“This wasn’t in the script," said Joshua. "I respect Helenius, and may I say, I respect any male or female who steps into the ring. I am laser-focused on the win. I can make steps forward to bigger and better things, but the road map has a checkpoint: Saturday night. May the best man win.”

Anthony Joshua

After suffering two devastating losses to Oleksandr Usyk, heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is trying to restore his career. Joshua is a boxing champion with a record of 25 wins, 3 defeats, and 22 knockouts. In a rematch, he defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. and successfully defended his championships against Jermaine Franklin before losing to Usyk a second time.   [caption id="attachment_7874" align="aligncenter" width="534"] Anthony Joshua expressed his thoughts at the final press conference in London. | Credit: Boxingnews24.[/caption]  

Robert Helenius

Former two-time European champion Robert Helenius stepped in as a late substitute for Dillian Whyte. He's a big, tough boxer from the Nordic region, but he's a massive underdog against the two-time heavyweight champion. With a 32–4 record and 20–0 knockout ratio, Helenius is a formidable opponent. He's gone up against the likes of Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, and Adam Kownacki, but he's been knocked out every time. [caption id="attachment_7873" align="aligncenter" width="437"] Helenius is a formidable opponent. | Source: Google[/caption]

What's the Prediction?

In his forthcoming bout against Robert Helenius, Anthony Joshua is the clear favorite. In comparison, AJ is the superior in every respect, including speed, power, talent, and experience. He should be able to overwhelm Helenius right away and defeat him in the first half of the fight. [caption id="attachment_7876" align="aligncenter" width="402"] Joshua and Helenius face off[/caption] Helenius, though, may prove to be a challenging adversary for Joshua. Helenius will make advantage of his size and reach to force Joshua back. Despite this, however, he will be no match for Joshua's relentless punching power and precise execution. In reality, it is expected that the former heavyweight champion, who has won the title twice, would win by knockout.