Anthony Joshua won a heavyweight fight by knocking out Robert Helenius in the seventh round, his first KO victory since beating Kubrat Puliev in late 2020.
Initially, Joshua was preparing for a rematch with Whyte at London’s O2 Arena.
However, with Whyte’s recent drug test issues, Helenius stepped up to the task on short notice, having only fought in Finland a week before.
Despite Helenius’s early aggressive tactics, Joshua carefully used his jabs, waiting for the best moment to strike.
A once restless London crowd roared in delight after Joshua’s quick three-punch flurry in the seventh round sent Helenius staggering.
With Helenius lying over the ropes, the referee abruptly ended the contest, realizing the decisive nature of Joshua’s knockout.
Following his fight, Joshua was seen partying with UFC legend Conor McGregor.
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This victory represents a watershed moment for Joshua, especially after prior fights had fans craving for his knockout prowess.
While Deontay Wilder had overcame Helenius in the first round, Joshua’s current performance confirms his standing and raises the prospect of a rematch with the former WBC heavyweight champion.