Anthony Joshua scores brutal one-punch KO of Robert Helenius in stunning fashion to set up Deontay Wilder clash
Anthony Joshua brutally knocked out Robert Helenius on Saturday night to score his first KO victory since he stopped Kubrat Pulev in 2020.
After a tentative first few rounds, Joshua began to break through with a few power punches in round three, but he seemed hesitant to throw any combinations.
In the fourth round Joshua seemed to have Helenius hurt against the ropes, but once again he backed off and failed to capitalise.
And it was the same story in round five, as AJ caught his opponent with a heavy shot and Helenius’ looked to be on shaky legs, but Joshua refused to engage further, almost as if he was purposefully prolonging the bout.
But then, a flick seemed to switch in Joshua.
He turned on the aggression and the old Joshua reemerged, as he landed a thunderous right hand that saw Helenius collapse onto the canvas unconscious and the bout was waved off.
Fortunately Helenius made it back to his feet, but as soon as the knockout punch was landed, Joshua jumped out of the ring and did a lap of honour, almost in relief that he had got the job done.
When he got back into the ring, he was greeted by Conor McGregor who got him to drink his Forged Irish Stout and AJ obliged.
This a huge victory for Joshua as it sets up a potential clash with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia that is already in the works and will likely to take place early next year.
