ANTHONY JOSHUA has been called out by Robert Helenius with the heavyweight veteran just one win away from a mandatory title fight against the unified champion.
Finn Helenius upset Adam Kownacki at the start of March, snapping the New Yorker’s unbeaten record in a WBA eliminator for Joshua’s belt.
Robert Helenius has called out unified champion Anthony Joshua
Helenius is one win away from a mandatory shot of Joshua’s belts
The 36-year-old – who has sparred AJ, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder – promised a ‘Viking invasion’ on WBA, IBF and WBO boss Joshua as he warned he is not afraid of travelling to the UK to dethrone the champion on home soil.
He told Sky Sports: “Of course, the Vikings have been there many times before.
“Yes, that is exactly what I’m planning to do (a Viking invasion).
“I think it would be a very interesting fight [against Joshua]. I would like that very much.
“It would be fireworks and tactics, of course, but I think it would be a very, very interesting fight for me.
“I’ve been there in a sparring camp with him. I have nothing personal against him, he’s a very good guy. I think very highly of him and I like him a lot, but I think I would beat him.”
Helenius controversially beat Derek Chisora on points in 2011 for the European title, but lost against Dillian Whyte and Gerald Washington in more recent years.
But with five wins in his last six fights, the ‘Nordic Nightmare’ has worked his way up to No7 in the WBA’s rankings.
Andy Ruiz Jr, Luis Ortiz, Oleksandr Usyk and Wilder all stand above Helenius in the title picture, but he is not afraid to take on the underdog’s role again in a bid to muscle his way into a first world glory.
He said: “I hope I will get the biggest fight.
“I don’t really care who I’m fighting next, so I’m going to be ready for whoever comes in my way.”
Helenius has sparred Joshua at his Sheffield training base
Deontay Wilder pictured after sparring with Helenius
Eddie Hearn and Billy Joe Saunders have £50k-plus bet on winner of Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury if title fight happens
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
