Anthony Joshua caused unease after his fight with Robert Helenius at the O2 Arena, not for the first time in his career.
After drafting in a late replacement, he looked unconvincing in taking seven rounds to dispatch an opponent Deontay Wilder smashed in 177 seconds.
Joshua felt out Helenius, who Wilder completely obliterated, and sometimes seemed gun-shy. The pair had landed 51 and 34 jabs through six rounds, respectively.
That’s compared to 15 and 11 power punches. The contest of jabs ended abruptly in the seventh round. The end came courtesy of an overhand right thrown by Joshua that put Helenius down and out.
After getting the job done, Joshua showed behavior similar to that at the Oleksandr Usyk rematch.
Taking out Helenius in the seventh after the Finn came in at five days’ notice, Joshua sprinted out of the ring and did a lap of honor.
At that time, nobody knew if Helenius was okay as he landed prone on the floor and wasn’t moving.
Anthony Joshua’s erratic behavior
Eventually, Joshua returned to the ring and began supping Conor McGregor’s alcohol. Shortly after, it was time for his post-fight interview.
Firstly, he weirdly stated he wanted to fight twice more this year. That’s despite having a twelve-week camp for this event.
Considering there are only twenty weeks left in 2023, it was a strange statement to make. The interviewer then attempted to speak to Joshua, who would only allow him three questions.
When asked about Deontay Wilder, Joshua unfathomably stated that he’s been ‘carrying the division on his back.’ That’s despite not being involved in the title picture. He also has lost three of his last seven bouts.
The Londoner then ran out of the ring again. He didn’t act like the professional of old.
It’s more erraticness from AJ that seems to have sprung from his mentality since losing to Andy Ruiz Jr. and then Usyk twice.
The fact of the matter is that Joshua got bloodied by Helenius and wasn’t convincing at all until finding the equalizer.
Wilder
Most heavyweights would consider it a decent win against an also-ran contender. They wouldn’t run around the arena celebrating as if they’d reclaimed the world title.
On this evidence, if Deontay Wilder is next – as World Boxing News reported on Saturday – Joshua won’t be favored to win. He’ll be up against it.
Shelly Finkel, Wilder’s co-manager, told World Boxing News exclusively: “I can confirm that Deontay Wilder vs Andy Ruiz Jr. is off, for now. All I can say is that I hope Anthony Joshua wins the fight.”
After Joshua did his part, Eddie Hearn confirmed that Finkel had texted him about making the clash for January.
Joshua will need some vast improvements if he’s going to be able to live with the American on this form, though.
His behavior also leaves a lot to be desired. Roll on Wilder vs Joshua.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of experienced boxing writer Phil Jay.
