News

Anthony Joshua Fight ON With New Opponent Announced After Dillian Whyte Pulled

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 8th August 2023.

Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua’s fight on August 12 at the O2 Arena in London will go ahead despite his previously billed opponent, Dillian Whyte, being pulled after returning ‘adverse analytical findings’ in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency test.

A statement was released exactly one week out from fight night to confirm that the main event as fans knew it was off, and the promotion quickly began to scramble for an opponent to keep the show alive.

An undercard stacked with heavyweight bouts was the natural place to look, with Demsey McKean, Filip Hrgovic, Derek Chisora and Gerald Washington being floated as potentials online.

Others on the scene offered their services, including Andy Ruiz Jr – a previous late replacement for Joshua – and Jarrell Miller – the man Ruiz was replacing.

In the end, it was a fighter who emerged just yesterday as a frontrunner – Robert Helenius.

The 39-year-old from Stockholm is 32-4 with 21 knockouts. He was devastatingly stopped by Deontay Wilder last October, and seemingly considered retirement thereafter.

Ultimately ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ decided to fight on, and was out just days ago against previously undefeated Mika Mielonen. He won by third round stoppage.

Helenius has notable victories over Derek Chisora and Adam Kownacki, and was a sparring partner of Wilder’s before they met in the ring.

Although the main event has lost its high stakes and bad blood with the subtraction of Whyte, Helenius will provide a good measuring stick for Joshua, whose target is Wilder at the beginning of 2024.

This shared opponent offers a new angle to the narrative of that fight should the Brit come through unscathed – although it would be near impossible for Joshua to better ‘The Bronze Bomber’s effort, which came after just three landed punches.

Despite being the heavy favourite, ‘AJ’ won’t take that for granted given what happened against Ruiz back in 2019.

The undercard remains the same, but the event, set for the O2 Arena in London, will now be broadcast as part of viewers’ regular subscription rather than a PPV offering. The promotion has made it clear that refunds for attendees will be made available.