Anthony Joshua put late replacement Robert Helenius out cold on the canvas in the seventh round of their heavyweight bout in London.
It was the knockout that was expected and, in the eyes of many, needed for Joshua to push ahead with a fight against fellow former champion, Deontay Wilder.
You do 𝙉𝙊𝙏 get up from those 😤#JoshuaHelenius | pic.twitter.com/1LHhhvr6We
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 12, 2023
The first half of the contest was tentative and tense, but it was the highlight-reel right hand that makes the headlines. Boxing Social has gathered some initial reaction from fellow fighters…
Ryan Garcia
What a shot!! Great performance @anthonyjoshua 🔥🥊🥊
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) August 12, 2023
Audley Harrison
What’s your thoughts on AJ yesterday 🥊 l liked the end- text book jab to body & right to head. if headds a little bounce in his movement, it’s going to help him find his range quicker – he’s a dangerous puncher, so you can’t rule him out against Wilder or Fury #JoshuaHeleniuspic.twitter.com/S4k0SaOvLx
— Audley Harrison MBE (@audleyharrison) August 13, 2023
Josh Taylor
Credit to joshua. Hes changed his team and surroundings & He’s looking a lot more lose, relaxed and fluent. I’ve never seen Joshua move so well. Good Performace so far
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorBoxer) August 12, 2023
George Groves
“Good enough. He looked a bit nervous I thought, a bit tentative, and it took a while to get going. Helenius wasn’t great but he wasn’t awful either.”
“You can’t bet your life on what’s next off the back of that performance, but you can’t say he’s doing bad. Good for him – a spectacular knockout.”
Michael Hunter
Facts are facts
— Michael Hunter ll (@MichaelHunterII) August 12, 2023
Deontay Wilder
“He [Wilder] was like ‘we needed that.’ We both said the same thing because at first it was looking like it was getting ready to go the distance so when the knockout came I called him on FaceTime and he was like “I’m glad he got that, we needed it done just like that.”
via Malik Scott and October Red.
Regis Prograis
Big right hand knockout, taunt the crowd, then just walk out the ring. I like this Anthony Joshua.
— Rougarou (@RPrograis) August 13, 2023
Chris Eubank Jr
He’s back baby!! @anthonyjoshua
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) August 12, 2023
Conor McGregor
"Greatness don't rush" 👏@TheNotoriousMMA with the credit and then CALLS OUT @KSI#JoshuaHeleniuspic.twitter.com/WeWHNKPEm4
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 12, 2023
Anthony Joshua
Thank you. Until next time, God bless. pic.twitter.com/P98SQyeGRD
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) August 12, 2023