Joshua vs Helenius LIVE! Boxing fight stream, TV channel, latest updates and undercard results
Anthony Joshua returns to action in the familiar surrounds of London’s O2 Arena tonight, taking on late replacement opponent Robert Helenius. This was supposed to be the second grudge match against long-time rival Dillian Whyte, though that high-profile bout was cancelled last week after Whyte returned “adverse analytical findings” in a random anti-doping test.
That led to Matchroom Boxing having to scramble to find a replacement to salvage the main event, with Nordic Nightmare Helenius, a former two-time European champion, getting the call despite having only fought last weekend in an early stoppage of Mika Mielonen in a castle in his native Finland. That was the 39-year-old’s first outing since being brutally knocked out in the first round by Deontay Wilder last year, with Joshua hoping to make a similar statement here as he prepares to likely meet the Bronze Bomber in a blockbuster showdown next.
There is plenty of heavyweight action to look forward to on tonight’s undercard too, with Derek Chisora on co-headlining duties. Filip Hrgovic stopped Demsey McKean after a huge win for Johnny Fisher, plus another impressive step up from young Campbell Hatton and early victories for George Liddard, Brandon Scott and Maiseyrose Courtney. Follow Joshua vs Helenius updates live with Standard Sport’s blog below!
Live updates
Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington
Round 1
Chisora is applying the pressure from the outset as always, but he’s walked into a couple of heavy shots already here.
Washington does well to keep him at bay with some well-timed looping shots.
But a stinging left hook goes in from Chisora!
Washington looks to have his eyes closed as he throws rather wildly in return.
You get the sense that someone is getting knocked out here. Both men looking sharp in attack but with very little defence.
Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington
Round 1
Here we go!
Just how much does War Chisora have left in the tank?
We’re about to find out.
Huge chants for Chisora as we get underway.
Could this be the last time we see one or indeed both of these men inside the ring?
Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington
A great reception from the London crowd for Chisora as always as he makes his way to the ring to ‘Hotel California’ by The Eagles, clad all in pink with ‘Girl Dad’ on the back of his robe.
Washington is all in gold as he looks to prevent the Finchley favourite from going 34-13 tonight.
Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington
Washington’s one world title challenge of his 26-fight pro career came against Deontay Wilder in 2017, when he was knocked out in the fifth round in the then reigning WBC champion’s backyard of Birmingham, Alabama.
He’s also lost to the likes of Jarrell Miller and Adam Kownacki.
Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington
It’s almost time for the co-main event of the night at the O2 Arena!
Derek Chisora, who turns 40 later this year, is in his 47th professional bout against fellow veteran heavyweight challenger Gerald Washington.
It’s Chisora’s first action since his bruising defeat by Tyson Fury in a trilogy bout that no one asked for at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in December.
American Washington, who was 41 in April, is coming off back-to-back losses to Charles Martin and Ali Eren Demirezen, which came after he stopped Joshua’s opponent Robert Helenius in the eighth round in Minnesota in July 2019.
Filip Hrgovic stops Demsey McKean in final round
The fight is waved off in the 12th and final round!
Finally Hrgovic makes his greater power felt as a vicious right hook lands straight on the button and has McKean out on his feet.
The Australian doesn’t know where he is slumped helplessly against the ropes, staggering away as he’s initially given a standing count but the referee soon rightly waves it off. Not sure how he stayed on his feet.
That’s the sort of power and quality that Hrgovic can produce. It’s just a shame that it takes him so long to show it and comes after such frustrating long periods of sluggish inactivity.
He stays unbeaten at 16-0 with a 13th stoppage, maintaining his status as the IBF’s mandatory challenger to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Filip Hrgovic vs Demsey McKean
That’s a really frustrating round again from Hrgovic.
He had McKean visibly hurt in the ninth but he doesn’t follow up on it, a couple of eye-catching combinations aside.
McKean came out at the start of the 10th trying to be the aggressor to his credit, but he badly lacks the power and quality to punish Hrgovic for his long periods of strange coasting.
Visibly Hrgovic looks in decent shape, but clearly there’s some sort of problem with his conditioning.
The corner aren’t happy with him at all it sounds like. And you can understand why.
Oleksandr Usyk will not exactly be quaking in his boots watching this.
Filip Hrgovic vs Demsey McKean
Some decent action at last in the ninth, with McKean clearly hurt by a fierce right hand there.
He’s clinging on as Hrgovic finally shows a bit of urgency, driving in more of those thudding rights before the bell.
McKean was buzzed and his legs looked to have gone for a little while.
Can he recover?
Filip Hrgovic vs Demsey McKean
This has long since become a dogged heavyweight war of attrition that is tough on the eyes, with a tired Hrgovic taking his foot well off the gas as usual.
He’s being chased to the ropes a lot with McKean growing in confidence, landing some looping right hands to keep him at bay.
McKean has taken great impetus from Hrgovic’s sluggishness over the last few rounds, but in truth I don’t think he has the requisite quality to really take advantage.
But trainer Tony Sims is full of belief in his charge…
