Anthony Joshua boxed for six rounds against Robert Helenius in London before producing a show-stopping right hand to score his first knockout victory in three years.
Helenius was a last minute opponent following Dillian Whyte’s removal from the card, and presented a very different challenge for ‘AJ’, who has been shocked with defeat in a similar situation in the past.
Some pundits are calling the first half of the fight a measured performance by the Brit, whilst others believe it’s a tentativeness that has been present in his last few outings.
American trainer and analyst, Teddy Atlas, is in the latter camp. Commentating on the fight via Twitter, he regularly called ‘AJ’ tentative, and brought up a previously-voiced opinion that the two-time champion is ‘overrated.’
“Please all the great British fans out there, I love you, but don’t give me a hard time Tuesday when i again remind you on my podcast that your man is overrated.”
Please all the great British fans out there, I love u, but don’t give me a hard time Tuesday when i again remind u on my Podcast that ur man is overrated. #JoshuaHelenius
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) August 12, 2023
Atlas went on to say that the commentary team were trying to talk up Joshua’s performance, but that he seen it as simply lasting longer than it should have.
He reminded fans that Deontay Wilder did the same to Helenius inside the first round, and said he was ‘keeping it real’ with his critique.
Well I said before fight that opponent wasn’t exactly ‘Joe Louis’, closer perhaps to Jerry Lewis. I’m sorry but someone has to keep these things a bit real. #JoshuaHelenius
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) August 12, 2023
Joshua is now expected to move ahead with a fight against Wilder, which is pencilled in for January 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
The battle of the former champion is set to earn them an incredible amount of money, and will see the winner likely challenger for another world title in the not too distant future.