Ahead of their clash on Saturday, August 12, Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs) and Robert Helenius (32-4, 21 KOs) spoke at a press conference. Helenius stepped in after it was announced that original opponent Dillian Whyte tested positive yet again for a banned substance last week. Rather than cancel the event altogether, Matchroom Boxing worked with the relevant parties to put together a new main event for Saturday night.
Both Joshua and Helenius expressed their readiness for the upcoming heavyweight matchup. Below is just some of what was said by the fighters.
Joshua-Helenius press conference quotes
“This fight offer came to me, five minutes after my fight [on August 5 against Mika Mielonen]. I was going on vacation with my family but not anymore,” laughed Helenius at the press conference. “Luckily I had a good training camp so I feel ready.”
“I’m ready to fight that’s why I’m here, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
“It’s going to be glorious,” he further stated. “When you get this big an opportunity you can’t let it slip. I will give everything in my power to win this fight.”
“I didn’t want to let anyone down,” said Joshua. “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.”
“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.”
“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.”
Full fight card
Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs) vs. Robert Helenius (32-4, 21 KOs), heavyweight, 12 rounds
Filip Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs) vs. Demsey McKean (22-0, 14 KOs), heavyweight, 12 rounds
Derek Chisora (33-13, 23 KOs) vs. Gerald Washington (20-5-1, 13 KOs), heavyweight, 10 rounds
Johnny Fisher (9-0, 8 KOs) vs. Harry Armstrong (5-1-1, 0 KOs), heavyweight, 10 rounds
Campbell Hatton (12-0, 5 KOs) vs. Tom Ansell (10-4, 2 KOs), super lightweight, 8 rounds
Maisey Rose Courtney (3-0, 0 KOs) vs. Gemma Rueg (7-7, 1 KO), super flyweight, 6×2 rounds
George Liddard (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Bas Oosterweghel (5-1, 3 KOs), middleweight, 6 rounds
Brandon Scott (5-0, 1 KO) vs. Louis Norman (14-13-1, 2 KOs), featherweight, 6 rounds
More must-reads: