Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua on Saturday night recorded victory against Robert Helenius by knockout.
His seventh-round knockout of the Finnish was his first KO win since he defeated Kubrat Puliev on December 12, 2020.
Joshua was originally set for his third clash with Dillian Whyte at the O2 Arena, having lost to his fellow Briton as an amateur before knocking him out in 2015. However, Whyte returned an adverse finding in a drug test last week, leading him to be pulled from the main event. Helenius stepped in, just seven days after having fought and won in Finland.
Joshua was once again cautious in the fight’s early stages, even drawing some boos from those in attendance, but that all change with a brilliant right hand that connected on ‘The Nordic Nightmare’.
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The fast right hand sent Helenius tumbling after a three-punch combination.
Helenius folded, rolling down the ropes and the referee didn’t even look to make a count, it was over so quickly.
That’s back-to-back wins for Joshua after his decision victory against Jermaine Franklin in April. It’s the 23rd knockout win of his career and his first since stopping Kubrat Pulev 2020.
Joshua celebrated the win by leaping outside the ring and embracing former UFC champion Conor McGregor.
This is a huge win for Joshua who had been urged to become more aggressive after his last three fights went the distance as fans sought to see his knockout side again.
Although Deontay Wilder knocked Helenius out in the first round, Joshua will be encouraged by this result ahead of his potential clash against the former WBC heavyweight champion.
