It’s always a party when Anthony Joshua fights, as Matchroom Boxing goes all out for the former unified champion. There was going to be another celebration when Joshua was supposed to fight Dillian Whyte in a rematch on August 12.
The party got shut down when Whyte got nixed from the fight after failing multiple drug tests, per VADA. Now Joshua faces Robert Helenius, who fought just a few days ago. The fight airs via a regular DAZN subscription worldwide.
Fight fans have been rewarded with great bouts in 2023, from Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia to Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford. However, the one division that has been a letdown has been heavyweight. The division gets in its own way, as the best won't face the best. That is due to contract disputes and failed drug tests, among other factors. Years ago, heavyweights were the bread and butter of boxing. Now, it is a division that can't be taken seriously.
WATCH: Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius, live on DAZN
Can we blame the WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury for some of these issues? The Brit was supposed to fight Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk, but negotiations on his end have always gone south. The cash cow in the division is Fury, but he’s busy fighting MMA’s Francis Ngannou in an exhibition bout.
On this episode of Fightin’ Words, The Sporting News' Andreas Hale, Karisa Maxwell, and Tom Gray break down the heavyweight division, including the following topics:
- Wondering if Joshua needed to continue on with fight week despite Whyte's absence
- What's the bigger fight at heavyweight: Fury vs. Usyk or Joshua vs. Wilder
- Debating who would win a potential fight between Joshua and Wilder
- Discussing why the Helenius bout is a must-win for Joshua
- Thinking ahead to who will be fighting for heavyweight gold by 2025
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