Anthony Joshua Says It Would Be ‘Silly’ To Underestimate Robert Helenius

Anthony Joshua knows he can’t be underestimating Robert Helenius even though he is taking the fight on short notice.

Joshua was supposed to rematch Dillian Whyte on Saturday but Whyte tested positive for a banned substance and was removed from the fight. Robert Helenius then stepped up on short notice, and although he didn’t have much time to prepare, Joshua knows he can’t underestimate Helenius.

“It’d be silly to underestimate Helenius, silly to underestimate anyone,” Joshua said during a press conference Wednesday in London (h/t BoxingScene). “So, I’ve gotta take him deadly serious. And credit to him as well. He’s coming to roll the dice. He wants to win. As you mentioned, other heavyweights, [with] certain people obviously finance is the big issue, risk versus reward. But in reality, that’s not all there is to this for him. He wants to win, so he’s here. So, good luck to him.

“And shout out to everyone in Finland as well. I’ve been there before. And we’re looking to combine UK, Finland and the rest of the world to bring some good entertainment from the top right to the bottom. The undercard is phenomenal. So, yeah, don’t miss a fight. Do not miss a fight because this card is unbelievable,” Joshua continued.

Entering the fight, Robert Helenius is coming off a third-round TKO win last Saturday.

Although before that, Helenius was knocked out by Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua can’t think about that. Instead, he says he’s focused on getting his hand raised and has experience fighting short-notice opponents.

“Late replacements aren’t ideal,” Joshua said. “But I’d say this is the third time it’s happened. We had it with Kubrat Pulev and Takam, Jarrell Miller and Ruiz. Now this situation, so this is what happens. A long career, we’re all presented [with] these types of obstacles, and I’ve just gotta get used to ‘em. So, yeah, this is just another rock in my shoe on towards the top of the mountain.”

Do you think Anthony Joshua will beat Robert Helenius?