Joshua beat Helenius thanks to a seventh round knockout
Anthony Joshua made his return to the ring in emphatic style as he beat Robert Helenius with a seventh round victory via knockout.
Joshua had been set to face Dillian Whyte until the latter was pulled from the show last weekend after “adverse analytical finding” were detected in his doping test.
Helenius then agreed to step in at the last minute – and just one week on from his last fight – to ensure the sold-out event at the O2 Arena could go ahead and largely gave a good account of himself with those in attendance even heard booing the former Olympic champion.
The 33-year-old was able to duly deliver though and delivered a fatal right hand to knock down his Finnish opponent and secure his second victory on his comeback trail.
During his post-fight interview however, Joshua didn’t hold back at those who have criticised him and called for them to “leave him alone”.
“People need to leave me alone, this is my time in the ring,” he said.
“Let me keep doing what I want to do. Helenius, I told him to come again. I think he can cause people a lot of problems.
“I don’t want to say too much. I want to see you [the fans] again two more times this year. Thanks to Eddie [Hearn].”
AJ’s long term goal is to go on and fight Deontay Wilder, with Eddie Hearn also confirming that was the plan, as the Watford-born heavyweight made a sly jab at the rest of the division.
“It’s a fickle sport, you’ve got to be real about this industry and not get caught up. I’ve done my job,” Joshua added.
“I’ve got a back issue. My back is gone because I have to carry this heavyweight division to the top.”
