To ensure that Anthony Joshua’s fight went on as scheduled, the organizers had to look to the boxer nicknamed “Nordic Nightmare” Robert Helenius.

According to the latest announcement from promoter Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua will face Swedish boxer – Robert Helenius in the event on August 12 in London, United Kingdom.

“Nordic Nightmare” Robert Helenius is the replacement of Dillian Whyte – Anthony Joshua’s original opponent has recently been suspended due to positive doping. Immediately after the information was shared, the manager Eddie Hearn contacted a number of faces to find an alternative.

Robert Helenius (32-4 Boxing, 21 knockouts) just had a knockout win this past weekend over Mika Mielonen. This is also the first victory of the Swedish boxer since the defeat to Deontay Wilder in October last year.

Initially, Anthony Joshua’s team thought of a number of names that would fight in the event with the British boxer, including Filip Hrgovic, Demsey McKean or Derek Chisora, Gerald Washington. However, with the above fighters not wanting to make an alternative, as well as to ensure the number of matches of the event did not change, Joshua’s side had to look to Robert Helenius.

The urgent replacement of Robert Helenius can be seen as a test of Anthony Joshua before looking to bigger matches in the second half of 2023. In particular, with Helenius once being defeated in the hands of Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua has can prove his position when the “Bomb Bomber” in the United States is also one of the goals he wants to aim for in the future.