Furious fans label Anthony Joshua’s match-up with Robert Helenius as ‘PATHETIC’, as Finnish heavyweight steps in to replace Dillian Whyte for Saturday’s bout
- Anthony Joshua will fight Robert Helenius on Saturday in place of Dillian Whyte
- Joshua’s rematch against Whyte was cancelled for adverse findings in drugs test
- However, fans have voiced their displeasure at the match-up with Helenius
Fans on social media have labelled Anthony Joshua‘s fight with Robert Helenius as ‘pathetic’ after the Finnish boxer was called upon as a late replacement.
Joshua had been scheduled for a highly-anticipated rematch with fellow Brit Dillian Whyte but that was cancelled after ‘Bodysnatcher’ returned ‘adverse analytical findings’ in a pre-fight drugs test.
The news, which broke on Saturday, threatened to ruin Saturday’s event at at London’s O2 Arena unless a replacement was quickly sought out.
And, on Monday morning, it was confirmed that Helenius – who fought just three days ago – will step in on late notice to face ‘AJ’.
The uninpsiring announcment led promoter Eddie Hearn to confirm that event would no longer be broadcast on pay-per-view, but some fans were still unhappy with the decision.
![Robert Helenius has been revealed as Anthony Joshua's replacement opponent](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/08/11/74075545-12384531-Robert_Helenius_has_been_revealed_as_Anthony_Joshua_s_replacemen-a-2_1691491971365.jpg)
Robert Helenius has been revealed as Anthony Joshua’s replacement opponent
![Joshua (left) had been training to fight Dillian Whyte (right), but their bout was cancelled after a pre-fight drugs test returned an adverse analytical finding](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/08/11/73998045-12384531-A_statement_released_by_VADA_revealed_that_a_full_investigation_-a-15_1691492399120.jpg)
Joshua (left) had been training to fight Dillian Whyte (right), but their bout was cancelled after a pre-fight drugs test returned an adverse analytical finding
Taking to social media, one fan wrote: ‘Pathetic. Imagine paying for tickets, travel, and hotel only to be served up this nonsense. Refunds should be given. Boxing has been on a downward trajectory and it continues on that journey. @EddieHearn et al should be embarrassed.’
‘Another dead rubber, I won’t be watching. He’s just going into the ring to get knocked out and get a pay day. How can you seriously expect to win when you fought 3 days ago?’, one fans lamented.
‘AJ is the biggest fraud in boxing history,’ one used claimed, while another wrote ‘So disappointed. Pathetic,’ about the match-up.
‘Right, now take it off PPV @EddieHearn’, a fan demanded. Another used brutally claimed: ‘This sport is a J O K E’.
The news that Whyte had returned ‘adverse findings’ in his drug test shocked the boxing world on Saturday and left Matchroom in a difficult situation.
The promotion turned to Finnish boxer Helenius who won by third-round TKO win over Mika Mielonen three days ago.
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![Fans on social media were quick to voice their unhappiness with Joshua's match-up](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/08/11/74078165-12384531-image-m-14_1691492364490.jpg)
Fans on social media were quick to voice their unhappiness with Joshua’s match-up
![Eddie Hearn has insisted it is a 'dangerous fight' for AJ despite Helenius' brutal first-round KO at the hands of Deontay Wilder last year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/08/12/74077283-12384531-Eddie_Hearn_insisted_it_is_a_dangerous_fight_for_AJ_despite_Hele-a-23_1691492642420.jpg)
Eddie Hearn has insisted it is a ‘dangerous fight’ for AJ despite Helenius’ brutal first-round KO at the hands of Deontay Wilder last year
The 6ft 6in heavyweight has a record of 32 wins with defeats to Gerald Washington, Whyte and Johann Duhaupas and Deontay Wilder.
‘I am a true Viking that is willing to face any challenge at a moment’s notice,’ the 39-year-old Helenius said.
‘This is not an opportunity I was going to let slip away. I plan to make the most of it.’
‘This wasn’t in the script,’ Joshua said of his new opponent. ‘I am laser focused on the win. I can make steps forward to bigger and better things but the roadmap has a checkpoint – Saturday night.’