Nigerian British boxer Anthony Joshua has finally found his footing back in boxing as he knocked out Robert Helenius in the seventh round in his boxing retur. It was a huge confidence builder for Anthony Joshua as he won inside the distance for the first time in two-and-a-half years. The big prize now for him is an encounter with Deontay Wilder in a blockbuster bout in Saudi Arabia which comes up early next year.
Heavyweight Anthony Joshua spectacularly knocked out Robert Helenius with one punch in round seven, after boxing tentatively in the first half of the fight at London’s O2 Arena. The 33-year-old boxer who was jeered by fans during the bout – landed nothing of note until a huge right to the jaw ended Helenius’ night. The win is Joshua’s first stoppage victory in two-and-a-half years – sets up a blockbuster fight with American Deontay Wilder in January.
Speaking about the fight he said: “It’s a fickle sport, you’ve got to be real about this industry and not get caught up. I’ve done my job tonight.” He was also asked in the ring about the potential fight with Wilder, he joked about it and said: “My back’s gone, is there a doctor in here? I want to carry this heavyweight division to the top.”
After the knockout, an emotionally charged and smiling Anthony Joshua climbed out of the ring, high-fived fans and shared a beer with Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor. For Helenius, he needed oxygen after the heavy knockdown, but recovered and left the ring unassisted after congratulating Joshua. Joshua has now extends his record to 26 wins – with 23 stoppages – and three defeats.
AJ as he popularly called surprised the whole crowd in the fight as he has not won a first for a long time now. Both McGregor and KSI were ringside at the O2 Arena for Joshua’s knockout victory over Robert Helenius. As soon as landing the finishing right hand, AJ leapt out of the ring for a victory lap around the ring.
He bumped into McGregor and swigged some of the UFC superstar’s Forged Irish Stout. McGregor who called out KSI and called him a b**** was corrected almost immediately as Joshua responded and said: “That’s my guy.”