Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight bout with Robert Helenius – the late stand-in for Dillian Whyte, who failed a voluntary drugs test seven days ago – headlined a seven-fight lineup at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.
“AJ” won via knockout in the seventh round. He hopes the win leads to a clash against former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, which may take place in January 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
Elsewhere on a bill comprising five heavyweight showdowns, IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic faced unbeaten Australian heavyweight Demsey McKean.
Crowd favourite Derek Chisora took on a fellow veteran in heavy-fisted Gerald Washington, whose only win in his last four fights was against Helenius in 2019.
Johnny Fisher, Campbell Hatton, Maisey Rose Courtney, and George Liddard also featured on a list of fighters who could have been forgiven for feeling some relief that the card went ahead following the late uncertainty over Joshua’s opponent.