Anthony Joshua stays heading in the right direction for a future bout with Deontay Wilder after he produced a spectacular stoppage of Robert Helenius at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night time.
Joshua claimed the twenty sixth victory of his skilled profession with a primary knockout in three years, however even earlier than this bout all of the pre-fight discuss was about what subsequent for the British heavyweight.
Here, the PA information company takes a have a look at the state of play for the previous two-time world heavyweight champion.
Was the booing justified?
The Matchroom present had been doubtful every week earlier when Dillian Whyte needed to be withdrawn after “adverse analytical findings” have been found in his doping take a look at with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
It noticed Helenius drafted in on the eleventh hour however whereas there is no such thing as a doubt a sold-out O2 Arena would have been pleased to see Joshua in motion, they clearly wished extra from the previous Olympian through the first half of the 12-rounder. Joshua confronted whistles and boos throughout spherical three and jeers adopted after one other pedestrian spherical noticed the competition attain its midway level. A thunderous proper hand ensured the following outburst by spectators contained in the London venue was applause.
DJ getting a tune out of AJ?
While Joshua was tentative early on towards Helenius and didn’t wish to initially commerce off with the 39-year-old, some context should be supplied. The Finchley boxer had solely every week to arrange for his Finnish opponent and there’s a variety of inches distinction between Whyte and Helenius, which might have introduced out a major adjustment for the house favorite.
Joshua struggled to land along with his proper hand early on however was urged to maintain persevering by highly-respected coach Derrick James in solely their second bout collectively. James instructed Joshua to “keep shooting the right” and it landed emphatically through the seventh spherical with Helenius despatched toppling to the canvas.
Wilder subsequent?
Even earlier than Whyte’s withdrawal, a big chunk of the discourse round Joshua was whether or not he would really struggle Wilder subsequent. The former world heavyweight champions have been purported to lock horns for a number of years and it might have been a unification contest as just lately as 4 years in the past.
Joshua needed to block out the noise to do the enterprise towards Helenius however after he did, all eyes are actually on Wilder. Saudi Arabia promotional entity Skills Challenge is keen to host the mouth-watering conflict and dates in January and February are being drawn up.
So that’s that then?
We have been right here many instances earlier than, not solely with Joshua and Wilder however Joshua and fellow Briton Tyson Fury. It appears getting the perfect of the heavyweight division within the ring collectively is likely one of the hardest jobs within the sport. However, there’s quite a lot of motive for optimism on this event.
A conventional stumbling block might be the actual fact world heavyweight champions have necessary challengers to face, however with Joshua and Wilder holding no belts, they’re free to struggle whoever they need. The cash on provide ought to fulfill the calls for of each boxers, however Wilder’s coach Malik Scott did trace this week that his fighter wish to be energetic earlier than combating Joshua.
An October bout was proposed however even when that occurs, these two generational heavyweights ought to nonetheless commerce blows in 2024.
PA