Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius Odds Preview: True Vikings
Joshua Faces Helenius in Late Switch-Up
Joshua Widely Favored Against Late Replacement
Dillian Whyte is out and Robert Helenius steps in against Anthony Joshua this Saturday. While the Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius odds heavily favor Joshua at -1400, Helenius proves to be a different kind of threat. The “Viking” is a potent puncher and could push Joshua into uncomfortable situations. As for the Briton, this is a high-risk low-reward bout for him. He needs to impress or his stock will continue to dwindle.
🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius 🥊
Fighters: Anthony Joshua (25-3-0, 22 KOs) vs Robert Helenius (32-4-0, 21 KOs)
Date & Time:
Location: O2 Arena, London, U.K.
Weight Class: Heavyweight (200+ lbs.)
Joshua and Helenius Should Throw Down Like Vikings
This is not an ideal situation for Anthony Joshua. The former unified champion faces a “no-win” situation taking on Helenius. On one hand, simply beating him is expected. On the other, a loss here could destroy any hopes of a big money fight in the near future. Still, Joshua must take this opportunity to put on a show and further build his way back to the top.
“This wasn’t in the script,” Joshua said per Sky Sports. “I respect Helenius and may I say, I respect any male or female who steps into the ring. I am laser focused on the win. I can make steps forward to bigger and better things but the road map has a checkpoint, Saturday night. May the best man win.”
As for Helenius, the proud Viking has a can’t-miss shot scoring his biggest victory. The +950 underdog per the Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius odds has one hell of a puncher’s chance. He’s won 21 of his 32 victories via knockout including his last five.
“I am excited about fighting Anthony Joshua on August 12,” Helenius said. “I am a true Viking that is willing to face any challenge at a moment’s notice. This is not an opportunity I was going to let slip away. I plan to make the most of it.”
Helenius is a name in the division albeit in a losing effort. He recently got knocked out by Deontay Wilder in a pay-per-view event late last year. Then, in 2019, he also got finished by Gerald Washington in the United States.
In between these losses, Helenius starched his opponents. His consecutive knockouts over Adam Kownacki are nothing to be scoffed at. Indeed, if a large underdog can upset boxing bets, it’s Helenius.
Joshua Must Impress Despite Unideal Circumstances
You can’t blame Joshua if he takes a conservative approach here given Helenius’ knockout threat. It may make for a less-than-exciting bout. Joshua has since become more of a defensive boxer. But given his opponent’s style, Joshua has a chance to earn a spectacular knockout victory.
The Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius odds don’t expect this bout to go past the sixth round. The totals are set at 5.5 rounds with slight juice on the ‘over’. On the props’ side, a bet on this bout to not go to a decision will pay just $17 for every $100 wager (-600).
Boxers have hurt Joshua multiple times in the past. Oleksandr Usyk hurt him and nearly finished him. Andy Ruiz handed him his first knockout loss. And even Wladimir Klitschko knocked him down in their classic.
If Joshua shells up and rides this out to a decision, it may even hurt his stock. The appeal of a bout with Deontay Wilder or a trilogy with Andy Ruiz would dampen, especially since it will be in a PPV. Given the heavyweight boxing schedules, this Joshua’s chance to get folks excited about the division again.
And whether Joshua likes it or not, Helenius will push the fight. The Viking will march Joshua down looking to punch his way to the top boxing news. For the division’s sake, this bout should end with some fireworks.
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