ANTHONY JOSHUA returns to the ring this weekend as he prepares to take on replacement opponent Robert Helenius at the O2 Arena.
The Brit, 33, was due to take on fellow countryman Dillian Whyte in a rematch of their 2015 clash – which Joshua won by seventh round stoppage.
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But Whyte’s failed drugs test on Saturday saw the bout cancelled as AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn sought to keep the event on.
And they have decided to pick Finnish heavyweight Helenius, 39, as the man in the other corner.
The Nordic Nightmare returned to winning ways just LAST WEEKEND as he beat Mika Mielonen with a third round TKO in a CASTLE in his home country.
It was his first bout since being knocked out by Deontay Wilder inside a round in October last year.
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The Wilder defeat was Helenius’ fourth of his professional career – following losses to Johann Duhaupas, Dillian Whyte and Gerald Washington.
But he also has some impressive wins on his record against the likes of Derek Chisora, Erkan Teper and Adam Kownacki.
And he boasts a record of 32 wins and four defeats with 21 KOs.
His reach is measured at 79 inches – three shorter than Joshua’s.
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And his last weigh-in saw him come in one pound lighter than AJ did against Franklin – with the Finn tipping the scales at 18st 1lb.
But Helenius is not giving up any height to Joshua as the pair both stand at 6ft 6in.
Meanwhile, Olympic gold medallist AJ is coming off a points win over Franklin in April.
It was his 25th victory in 28 bouts – following back-to-back losses at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua, who also lost to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, has one more KO on his record than Helenius, but in eight fewer fights.
However, he has not stopped anyone since beating Kubrat Pulev in December 2020.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
