ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to wear a new pair of boxing gloves for the first time when he fights Robert Helenius.
The two-time heavyweight world champion returns to the ring tonight at the O2 Arena.
And he will do so in a pair of brand new Leone boxing gloves – the first time he has worn them.
AJ regularly wore Rival gloves before switching to Grant for a period of time.
For his last fight in April – a decision win over Jermaine Franklin – he had Everlast’s on for the first time.
But now Joshua, 33, is set to go with a pair of Italian-made Leone’s when he takes on late replacement Helenius.
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The Swedish born-Finn, 39, stepped in on just seven days notice after Dillian Whyte, 35, was withdrawn amid a failed drug test.
But Helenius was left raging during the glove selection process due to the level of padding.
The British Boxing Board of Control cleared both gloves selected by the headliners.
But Helenius fumed: “This is f***ing ridiculous.”
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He added: “That’s f***ing bulls***, disgusting bulls***.
“Put the same gloves on my hands, f***ing bulls***. I need exactly the same gloves.
“They are not the same gloves. Everybody knows here what the f*** is going on.”
Matchroom Boxing’s CEO Frank Smith stepped in and mediator and promised Helenius could wear the same gloves as Joshua.
A second meeting on the fight of the fight is said to have been scheduled to further resolve the issue.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
