Anthony Joshua is set to fight Swedish-Finnish heavyweight Robert Helenius at the O2 Arena London on Saturday after original opponent Dillain Whtye failed an anti-doping test last weekend. Organizer Eddie Hearn announced on Tuesday, August 8, to fans that Helenius will replace Whtye. This has frustrated some fans who anticipated the matchup, but the organizers swiftly set up Helenius as Dillian Whtye’s replacement.
The Joshua vs Whyte match-up would have been a rematch eight years in the making, with “AJ” knocking Whtye out in the seven rounds in 2015 at the O2 Arena. Whtye has maintained innocence, as the end of the saga remains to be seen.
According to Evening Standard, after news of his failed test broke, Whyte said: “I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me. I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it.
“But I have also just seen that the fight is being canceled. This is without any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision.
“I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not taken the reported substance in this camp or at any point in my life. I’m completely innocent.”
39-year-old Helenius appeared to have retired in October after he was knocked out by Deontay Wilder in the first round of their matchup. However, he returned just last weekend with a TKO win over Mika Mielonen. Meanwhile, The Independent reports that Joshua – a former two-time world heavyweight champion – last boxed in April, beating Jermaine Franklin on points at the O2 to bounce back from two straight losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Speaking on his new opponent, Joshua said, “I have always been told to expect the unexpected — and Saturday night is just that.
“This fight is not the one I expected next for me, and I’m sure that is the same for anyone else that will be inside the O2 or watching TV.
“I fully anticipated doing my ring walk with the prospect Dillian Whtye being the man standing in there waiting for me.
“That’s not the case, but that’s boxing things change. I’m not here to talk about the rights or wrongs of his adverse analytical findings.
“Be it Whyte, Helenius, or anyone else, I’ve trained to be ready for a 12-round fight. I felt the same way with Dillian as my actual weekend rival — this is just another body coming for me.
“I don’t think either fighter can stop me, but I’ve got to prove that and bring the heat.
“We’re in the final days and I feel a bit like a caged beast that’s been locked away ready to be unleashed. I’m ready for the battlefield; it’s just a different battle plan and fighter in front of me.
“I want to win, I will win. Tune in, you’ll see a peak performance from me.
“All I can really say is that I was looking forward to facing him. We’ve fought once before and he’s had a fair bit to say about me since my last fight. I felt ready to put a few things straight.
“But that’s boxing and, instead of Whyte, I’ve got a completely different opponent waiting for me in Robert Helenius.
“Sure, he got undone by Deontay Wilder inside a single round not so long ago, but that’s the heavyweight division — one punch and you can be done for. Believe me, I’ve been there and experienced it… on both sides.
“But among others, he has taken Whyte the distance and all credit to him for being the man to step up to face me on Saturday night.
“Boxing is about respect and I always respect every single fighter that dares to step into the ring with me. And you have to remember it takes just one moment to end a fight or for it to be ended for you.”
