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      I thank Anthony Joshua for making sure my undercard fight goes ahead… it means I don’t have to go back work this week

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      BOXER Maisey Rose Courtney thanked Anthony Joshua for keeping her undercard fight alive – so she doesn’t have to go back to work just yet. Courtney features on AJ’s card on Saturday night at the O2 Arena against Gemma Ruegg.
      Maisey Rose Courtney ahead of her fight on Anthony Joshua’s undercardCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
      But that bout and the event itself faced the KO after Dillian Whyte was withdrawn amid a failed drug test.
      Thankfully for Courtney & Co, Robert Helenius filled in on seven days notice to make sure the shows does go on.
      Courtney, 22, told SunSport: “I thank the lot of them.
      “I thank Eddie for doing it, all of Matchroom, DAZN, Anthony Joshua of course and even Helenius for taking the fight.
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      “I’m just grateful that it’s actually happening.”
      Courtney ensures she gets more ring time and another purse to her name but she will have to wait a little longer to snack out.
      She said: “I would definitely have ate a little bit more. I haven’t been eating a lot.
      “I would have treated myself to maybe a packet of crisps or some chips, then straight back to it.
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      “I haven’t got time to be wasting weeks and months because a fight has been called off. I want to be fighting.”
      Courtney works as a PT and coach at former world champion Darren Barker’s 12×3 Boxing club in London.
      And had she been denied the chance to return on the weekend, then the flyweight would have rocked up for her Saturday session as normal.
      She said: “I would have had to have gone back to work. I would’ve gone back to PTing people and teaching classes.
      “Without that, I don’t have any other way of getting through the month, that’s my pay.”
      Courtney’s class are still due to see her this week as they continue to show their support to the prospect prizefighter.
      She said: “I’ve got loads of regulars that come actually. They support me massively. They see the hard work that I put in.
      “They see me with a black eye, when I’ve been beaten up in sparring.”
      Courtney prepares for her fourth professional bout and steps up in class against Ruegg, who beat her last opponent Kate Radomska.
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      She said: “This is a good step up for me, she’s the one person that beat my last opponent.
      “So now I’m ready for that step up, I’m ready to fight someone that’s tougher. I like getting drawn into the fight and Gemma does that.”
      Maisey Rose Courtney ahead of her fightCredit: PA More

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      Anthony Joshua receives surprise present from Conor McGregor as UFC legend sends Brit message before Helenius fight

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA received a surprise gift from UFC superstar Conor McGregor just days before his return to the ring.The former unified heavyweight champion will continue his career rebuild tomorrow night with a short-notice showdown with Robert Helenius at The O2.
      Anthony Joshua returns to the ring tomorrow night for a clash with Robert HeleniusCredit: GETTY
      The former heavyweight champ was gifted some of Conor McGregor’s Forged Irish StoutCredit: INSTAGRAM@FORGEDIRISHSTOUT
      The UFC superstar sent a message of support AJ’s way after seeing him receive his stoutCredit: GETTY
      The entire combat sports world will be waiting with bated breath to see if AJ can continue to breathe new life into his career with a highlight-reel knockout.
      MMA legend McGregor is rooting for Joshua to do the business, so much so that he sent him a care package of his newly-released Forged Stout.
      Upon receiving the four-pack of stout, a chuffed AJ said: “My guys!
      “I’ll crack this open and tell you later.”
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      Joshua, 33, then sent a personal message to The Notorious’ way, saying: “Just be happy.
      “You seem happy and that’s all that matters in life at the end of the day.
      “Long may the success continue.
      “And when I’m out in Ireland one day, I’ll visit the pub but I want drinks for free though!”
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      McGregor – whose Forged Stout will be one of the sponsors on fight night – was pleased to see Joshua receive his gift.
      He said: “This man Anthony Joshua is the definition of class, quality, and loyalty!
      “What him and Eddie Hearn have built is just absolute magic!
      “I cannot wait to witness AJ Powerhouse do work this weekend and live from ringside! Wow! Honoured! Let’s go!”
      Joshua will look to finalise a long-overdue grudge match with Deontay Wilder with a statement-making victory over Helenius tomorrow night.

      🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius: How to watch, UK start time, live stream details 🥊
      The golden boy of British boxing bounced back from consecutive defeats to former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk with a scrappy points win over Jermaine Franklin in April.
      AJ’s ring return this weekend was due to a be trilogy bout with longtime rival Dillian Whyte, although a failed drug test for the Brixton Body Snatcher laid waste to their domestic dust-up.
      He said: “This wasn’t in the script. I respect Helenius and may I say, I respect any male or female who steps into the ring.
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      “I am laser-focused on the win.
      “I can make steps forward to bigger and better things but the road map has a checkpoint, Saturday night. May the best man win.” More

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      I’ve shared the ring with Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk… here’s how they compare

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      GERALD WASHINGTON might just have the answers for the greatest fantasy fights in the current heavyweight division. After all, he has shared the ring in some shape or form with the best of them.
      Anthony Joshua and Gerald Washington sparred in 2020Credit: Instagram @gwgallonegro
      Deontay Wilder beat and later sparred Gerald Washington
      Washington was beaten by Deontay Wilder in 2017 but they later linked up as sparring partners.
      Similarly, Anthony Joshua recruited the 6ft 6in American for his camp before beating Kubrat Pulev in 2020.
      Oleksandr Usyk, Andy Ruiz Jr and even ex-heavyweight champions of the past like Wladimir Klitschko have also called on Washington’s services.
      And when he steps into the ring with Derek Chisora on Saturday night, it will not be for the first time as they sparred dating back to 2016.
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      So Washington has almost experienced it all and lives to gush about the talent he has graced the ring with.
      He told SunSport: “Everybody brings something different to the table.
      “If you want power, you’ve got Deontay Wilder. If you want class boxing fundamentals then you’ve got Joshua.
      “If you want ring IQ and hard work, Usyk is a crazy guy to learn from. And even Derek Chisora, what he brings to the table is all heart.
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      “He comes to get it, he works hard and he’s a grinder. That’s a skill in itself, that’s hard to do.
      “He’s putting in a lot of hard rounds for our entertainment, we’re grateful for him and that’s why he’s a hero here in the UK.”
      Washington, 41, and Chisora, 38, provide undercard action for Joshua’s return on Saturday night at the O2 Arena.
      But the event faced the KO when AJ’s initial opponent Dillian Whyte, 35, was pulled out amid a failed drug test.
      Robert Helenius, 39, has since subbed in to save the day but Washington was also considered although later overlooked.
      Gerald Washington with heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko
      He has also sparred Andy Ruiz Jr
      He said: “We were ready to go. We’ve been working for a long time now and we was ready to go to put it together.
      “But, they chose Robert Helenius and we’ll get him next time.”
      Joshua, 33, will step foot in the ring knowing he is one win away from a super-fight in Saudi Arabia against Deontay Wilder, 37.
      And Wilder is a training partner and friend of Washington’s as they share the same coach, Malik Scott.
      But Washington admits he would have had no qualms in taking the bout with AJ despite Wilder’s impending blockbuster with the Brit star.
      He said: “I mean, s*** if it was going to come my way it was going to come my way.
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      “If the cards fall as they lie, you just have to take it as they come. We were worried about what we’re in control of and that’s it.
      “Now we’ve got Derek Chisora on the plate and that’s all we’ve prepared for.”
      Derek Chisora and Gerald Washington ahead of their fightCredit: PA More

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      Boxing legend Henry Armstrong was a 5ft 5in freak of nature… he’d find Helenius doubling up vs Anthony Joshua amusing

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      IF he were still around today, Henry Armstrong would be amused at those concerned about Robert Helenius being asked to fight twice in a week.Helenius, the bearded 6ft 7in Finn, has stepped in as an ever-so-late substitute for Dillian Whyte — who failed a drug test — to give Anthony Joshua much-needed target practice at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.
      Robert Helenius is set to fight twice in a weekCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua is expected to secure a knock-out win over the FinnCredit: Getty
      The legendary Henry Armstrong once fought five times in 21 days
      Last weekend, former European heavyweight champion Helenius took less than three rounds to dispose of fellow countryman Mika Mielonen.
      And while it is highly unusual for a boxer to have a couple of fights only seven days apart, in the 1930s it was commonplace.
      Armstrong, only 5ft 5in tall, was a freak of nature.
      He is the only man to be a world champion at three different weights all at the SAME time.
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      He held the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight titles — and what Homicide Hank did in a 21-day period in October 1939 is beyond belief.
      Criss-crossing America, Armstrong successfully defended his welterweight title no less than five times in five different cities. So what Helenius is being asked to do is really no big deal.
      Joshua — fighting in front of a contingent from Saudi Arabia, here to finalise the details of his mega-millions clash with Deontay Wilder in January — is priced at odds of 1-16 and is expected to blast his way to an easy victory.
      But we thought the same thing before his last fight against Jermaine Franklin four months ago — before he laboured to a dull points victory.
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      Joshua knows Helenius has absolutely nothing to lose and he was a decent fighter 12 years ago when he beat Derek Chisora and Sam Peters.
      There shouldn’t be the slightest chance of Helenius kicking sand in Joshua’s face and I believe he will have done well if he lasts six or seven rounds.
      But when it comes to the heavyweights, I’m always haunted by dismissing Buster Douglas as a total irrelevance before he KO’d Mike Tyson 33 years ago in Tokyo — and he was a 42-1 chance. More

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      Mike Tyson called out by MMA legend for incredible comeback on Fury vs Ngannou undercard

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      MIKE TYSON has been called out for a fight by MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko.And the Russian is keen to make the crossover to boxing by co-main eventing the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou card.
      Mike Tyson has been offered a boxing dust-up by Fedor EmelianenkoCredit: Getty
      The Russian is an MMA legend who dominated BellatorCredit: Getty
      Emelianenko is hopefully of featuring on the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou card
      The heavyweight pair are set to clash in Saudi Arabia on October 28.
      Tyson, 57, has not stepped into the ring since his exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr in November 2020.
      Emelianenko watched that duel and he believes Tyson would be an interesting opponent.
      He praised the former world champion, telling The MMA Hour: “We watched the fight on TV of Roy Jones Jr vs. Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson would be an interesting fight.
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      “He has a big name, he’s a legend… it would be interesting because you can see a lot of his videos on YouTube and all over the place, he’s still in good shape. He still works pads, he still has that same power.”
      The 40-7 fighter revealed he constantly trains so would be ready to fight Tyson if a deal is agreed.
      He also pointed out his potential opponent being part of Ngannou’s camp, which means Iron Mike could be in good shape to don the gloves once again.
      Asked about appearing on the Fury vs Ngannou card, Emelianenko, 46, responded: “That would be awesome.
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      “If it would be possible I definitely would do it. I will be ready.
      “I always train. There was a camp right now in Russia. I was there. I’m always ready.
      “I heard that Mike Tyson is going to help Francis Ngannou to prepare for this fight, so he’s probably in good shape too.” More

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      Who is Robert Helenius’ wife?

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      ROBER HELENIUS will fight former two-time unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on Saturday night at the O2 Arena.’The Nordic Nightmare’ stepped in last minute after AJ’s original opponent Dillian Whyte was forced to pull out.

      🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius: How to watch, UK start time, live stream details 🥊
      The bout was cancelled after ‘The Body Snatcher’ returned an ‘adverse finding’ from his VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) testing.
      In stepped Helenius, who only fought last week in Finland, to go toe-to-toe with Joshua at the O2 this weekend.
      And to support him all the way from ringside will be his wife, Sandra.
      Who is Robert Helenius’ wife?
      Robert Helenius is married to his wife, Sandra Helenius.
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      Sandra is reportedly from Finland and she had been with ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ for 17 years.
      Robert Helenius is often supported by his wife at ringsideCredit: GETTY
      The couple largely keep their private lives out of the spotlight, but Sandra is often seen supporting her husband at his boxing matches.
      They have three children together, aged 15, 13 and ten – who the boxer exclusively revealed to SunSport he had to face the wrath of after cancelling their family holiday for the AJ bout.
      Helenius told SunSport: “They’ve been in this game a long time, the kids have been in this game since they were born.
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      “They don’t know anything else. Of course they were sad, they wanted their holiday now! But life happens.”
      Who is Robert Helenius?
      Robert Helenius is a Finnish professional boxer.
      He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, but moved to Finland when he was a child.
      Helenius’ father began training him in boxing when he was just five years old.
      He went on to win bronze at the 2000 European under-17 championships and the 2001 European Championships.
      The sportsman finished second at the 2006 European Amateur Boxing Championships and then turned professional in 2008.
      Helenius won the European Championship title in 2011, an accolade he would win for a second time in 2016.
      Other notable wins for Helenius include the IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight belt, which he won in 2018, and the WBA Gold heavyweight title, which he claimed in 2020.
      When is Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius?

      Joshua’s clash with Helenius will take place on Saturday, August 12.
      The fight will be held at the O2 Arena in London.
      The main card is set to start at 7pm BST.
      Ring-walks for the main event will likely get underway from around 10.30pm BST. More

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      Meet Robert Helenius’ wife Sandra as ultra-private boxer set to fight Joshua gives rare glimpse of life outside ring

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      ROBERT HELENIUS will be thrust into the limelight for one of the biggest fights of his career when he faces off with Anthony Joshua. However, away from the ring the Nordic Nightmare leads a far more secluded lifestyle with his wife Sandra.
      Robert Helenius has been drafted in to face Anthony Joshua on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Helenius leads a secluded private life with wife SandraCredit: iNSTAGRAM @heleniusrobert

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      Helenius, 39, has been parachuted in to fight AJ as a last-minute substitute after Dillian Whyte failed a drug test.
      His social media pages typically show him in work mode in the gym or during fights.
      However, there are odd glimpses of his private life.
      And these rare insights lift the lid on long-term partner Sandra.
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      Helenius and Sandra have been together for 17 years.
      They have three children together aged 15, 13 and ten – who the boxer exclusively revealed to SunSport he had to face the wrath of after cancelling their family holiday for the AJ bout.
      Like Helenius, Sandra is reported to be from Finland.
      Sandra is often seen ringside for Helenius’ fights, though it remains to be seen whether she will make the trip to London’s O2 Arena for Saturday evening’s fight.
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      Sandra, left, regularly attends Helenius’ fightsCredit: Getty
      They have been together for 17 years and have three children togetherCredit: Getty
      Helenius was only in the ring LAST WEEKEND, beating Mika Mielonen in a 15th-century three-tower CASTLE located in Savonlinna.
      The fight marked his return after being put of out action in just 40 seconds by Deontay Wilder last year.
      But he had little time to celebrate the win as immediately a shock offer was presented in his changing room.
      Helenius revealed: “Five minutes after the fight my manager came to me and said, ‘Do you want to fight Anthony Joshua next Saturday?’
      “I thought, ‘Oh s***.’ I’m still sweating, had my wraps on. I didn’t know if I could fight. I said, ‘Give me five minutes to think about this.’
      “Then five minutes later I said, ‘Let’s do this. Let’s do this.’ This is what we do.”
      Helenius fought last weekCredit: Getty
      Helenius has described the opportunity to fight AJ as an “opportunity to reclaim my dream” after admitting he had considered retirement.
      And the occasion is not lost on him as he hopes to become Joshua’s nightmare.
      He said: “I don’t know if this is the highest point in my career, it’s up there.
      “I’ve been boxing for a long time, I knocked out Samuel Peters, Lamon Brewster, Sergei Liakhovich back in the day.
      “I knocked out Kowanacki a couple of fights before the Wilder fight.
      “So I can’t compare what one is the biggest, but this is up there of course.”
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      He added: “When you have a really long thought about how your life is going and then it completely changes, for the better.
      “I wasn’t thinking about this at all, I thought it would probably take up to two years to get back to this point. But, now I’m here.”

      🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius: How to watch, UK start time, live stream details 🥊 More

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      I fought Anthony Joshua in 2015 on five days notice just like Robert Helenius and was left thinking ‘oh s**t’

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      FORMER boxer Jason Gavern feared the worst after agreeing to fight Anthony Joshua on just five days notice in 2015.Robert Helenius is in the same position as the American after he stepped in to replace the banned Dillian Whyte at late notice.
      Anthony Joshua fought Jason Gavern at late notice in 2015Credit: PA:Press Association
      Robert Helenius has agreed to fight AJ in place of Dillian WhyteCredit: Getty

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      The Finn revealed to SunSport that he had to cancel a family holiday to face AJ, and Gavern felt similarly unprepared after his clash with Joshua was announced.
      He told the Daily Star: “I fought him on five days notice.
      “Eddie Hearn called me and said ‘hey, do you want to fight?’ I flew to London, we had a day of media and then I got a train to Newcastle. We arrived and I fought him two days later!
      “I was in camp with Joshua a couple of times and he’s a great guy. He’s very respectful and very personable. I could talk to him and joke around. When I fought him in Newcastle he came across the ring and I thought ‘oh s***, this guy is huge.’
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      “He had a different look and I thought ‘oh boy, here we go.’ He was a super cool guy to spar with. I was a veteran at the time, so I tried to give him some pointers and things like that.”
      Gavern’s fears were realised inside three rounds as he was twice knocked down before Joshua landed a knock-out blow in the third.
      AJ will be aiming to do the same to Helenius after failing to impress in his points win over Jermaine Franklin last time out.
      Like Helenius, Gavern had suffered defeats to Deontay Wilder and Gerald Washinton in the run-up to facing AJ, which ended up being the penultimate fight of his career.
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      🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius: How to watch, UK start time, live stream details 🥊
      However The Nordic Nightmare has had a much more successful career than Gavern with just four defeats compared to 21.
      Promoter Eddie Hearn certainly believes Helenius can give Joshua a test, despite many fans voicing their anger at the selection.
      He said: “You go into the wild west of who wants it, who doesn’t.
      “We wanted someone credible, who would come to fight, who we could do a deal with at pace. He’s had big wins and got chinned by Wilder. He boxed on Saturday and got a knockout.” More