Anthony Joshua, the former world heavyweight champion, delivered a knockout punch against Finnish sensation Robert Helenius, marking a riveting victory in the seventh round. This compelling win at London's O2 Arena escalates the anticipation around Joshua's upcoming fight with the American boxing sensation, Deontay Wilder, planned for 2024.
Helenius, despite his commendable fight against Mika Mielonen on August 5, showed great mettle by stepping in on short notice. This unexpected opportunity arose after Dillian Whyte's exclusion due to a positive drug test by VADA. Joshua, with this victory, not only showcased his formidable boxing skills but also marked his formidable comeback to knockout victories after a three-year gap.
The boxing world vividly recalls Joshua's illustrious reign as the world heavyweight champion from 2016-2019. He remained undefeated through his initial 22 professional matches. But a surprising upset came his way when Andy Ruiz Jr. bested him. Undeterred, Joshua bounced back, reclaiming his glory, and now stands on the precipice of a blockbuster face-off with Deontay Wilder. Wilder, known for his jaw-dropping 97.67% knockout-to-win ratio, brings to the ring an aura of invincibility.
Starting his boxing voyage in 2007, Joshua showcased his talents early on. By 2011, he was representing England in the super-heavyweight category at the World Championships, clinching a silver medal. His prowess further shone in 2012 when he brought home an Olympic gold for Great Britain. Recognizing his burgeoning potential, The Ring magazine crowned him the Prospect of the Year in 2014, and his iconic match against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 fetched him the Fight of the Year accolade from both The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
As we inch closer to 2024, the boxing fraternity and fans worldwide keenly await the Joshua-Wilder match. Given Wilder's unmatched record of knocking out every adversary he has squared off against, the January 2024 bout is sure to be a spectacle, drawing global attention to the electrifying confrontation of two boxing titans.
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