Anthony Joshua ‘in talks’ to fight heavyweight that Deontay Wilder destroyed in one round

As Matchroom Boxing scramble to find Anthony Joshua a replacement opponent for August 12, a new contender has emerged – Robert Helenius. The Finish puncher is reportedly being considered as a viable option to stand in for Dillian Whyte after the ‘Body Snatcher’ returned “adverse analytical findings” in a pre-fight drugs test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), which led to the cancellation of his rematch with AJ.

According to the Daily Star, Helenius has a strong possibility of landing the fight if a deal can be reached in the next few hours. Helenius just fought on Saturday in his first bout back since being knocked out in the first round by Deontay Wilder last October.

He squared off against fellow countryman Mika Mielonen in his native Finland, recording a comfortable third-round knockout win. Helenius is fit and came out of his last outing unscathed and so is thought to be among the frontrunners to face Joshua next.

Eddie Hearn is also understood to have spoken to Gerald Washington, who is scheduled to face Derek Chisora on the undercard. Washington’s trainer Malik Scott recently revealed his fighter’s willingness to take up the challenge in an interview with Sky Sports.

“This is an opportunity we would love to take full advantage of,” he said. “Myself and Gerald have been working for a year straight together, travelling to different camps, polishing up his style, teaching him different dynamics, sparring with the likes of Deontay [Wilder], [Oleksandr] Usyk, so many young undefeated heavyweights and Gerald did more than hold his own at these levels.”

Washington was reportedly in the running to face AJ for his comeback fight in April following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk. But Joshua’s team chose to go with Jermaine Franklin instead. The American has lost five of his last seven fights with his last victory coming against the aforementioned Helenius in 2019.