Anthony Joshua news LIVE: AJ and Robert Helenius weigh in ahead of heavyweight fight

Joshua will fight Helenius, who steps in on short notice, after Whyte’s ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test

Campbell Hatton talks next steps of his career and being part of a boxing dynasty

Anthony Joshua will fight Robert Helenius on Saturday, after original opponent Dillian Whyte returned an ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test last week.

Joshua vs Whyte 2 would have been a rematch eight years in the making, with “AJ” having knocked out his fellow Briton in 2015 to avenge an amateur defeat by Whyte. However, Saturday’s rematch at the O2 Arena in London fell through when Whyte, 35, failed a doping test last week. Whyte has maintained his innocence, while it was initially unclear whether Joshua, 33, would still compete on Saturday. But his promoter Eddie Hearn then teased an announcement on Tuesday (8 August), with fans learning that Helenius will replace Whyte.

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Helenius, 39, is a Finnish heavyweight who appeared to retire in October after being knocked out by Deontay Wilder in the first round. However, he returned just last weekend with a TKO win over Mika Mielonen. Meanwhile, 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. Follow live updates below.

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Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius news LIVE

• Joshua to fight Finland’s Robert Helenius on short notice
• Joshua was due to box Dillian Whyte on Saturday
• Whyte returned ‘adverse finding’ in drug test last week
• Joshua and Helenius go in-depth on boxing’s doping ‘problem'
• Comment: It’s time to stop taking AJ for granted
• ‘Have you got a problem with me?’ AJ asks Helenius at weigh-in
• Helenius’s record and key fights so far in his career

[9 August 2023 14:42 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

Chisora on Whyte’s failed drug test: “Boxing is already a hard-enough sport to fight somebody’s kid when you’re not on drugs.”

[9 August 2023 14:16 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

The talking is done! The fighters are facing off for the first time this week.

There will be another face-off at Friday’s weigh-in, before the heavyweights come to blows on Saturday night.

[9 August 2023 14:14 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

Here’s another look at Saturday’s card in full:

[9 August 2023 14:13 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

Joshua: “Helenius fought on Saturday. He’s doing the right thing; as a fighter, you have to [fight as often as possible].

“It’d be silly to underestimate Helenius or anyone. Credit to him: He’s come to roll the dice, to win.

“He wants to win, so good luck to him, and shoutout to everyone in Finland as well. We’re looking to combine the countries and bring some good entertainment.”

[9 August 2023 14:11 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

Joshua: “The objective remains the same, victory by any means. There’s no overtime in boxing, so I’ve got to be on my A-game and inflict pain.”

[9 August 2023 14:10 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

Joshua: “I didn’t want to let anyone down. Late replacements aren’t ideal, but a long career will present these kinds of obstacles. This is just another rock in my shoe on the way to the top of the mountain.”

[9 August 2023 14:09 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

“The only thing different is you have to change the trajectory of the punch,” James says, with Helenius being a taller opponent than Whyte.

[9 August 2023 14:09 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

Joshua’s coach Derrick James: “Finding it out [about Whyte’s failed drug test], you realise you have to move forward.

“Robert Helenius is a pretty good fighter, and you’ll be able to see everything AJ has worked on in camp.

“We had a little more time [to prepare for Whyte than we did for Jermaine Franklin earlier this year]. It’s time for us to implement everything we’ve been working on.”

[9 August 2023 14:07 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

Helenius and Joshua sparred in 2017, as “AJ” was preparing for his fight with Wladimir Klitschko – a fight Joshua won with a late knockout.

[9 August 2023 14:06 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Helenius press conference LIVE

Helenius: “This fight offer came to me five minutes after my fight [last Saturday].

“I was going to go on holiday with my family – not anymore.

“Luckily we had a good training camp behind us, so I feel ready.”