Anthony Joshua to fight Robert Helenius at O2 Arena after Dillian Whyte withdrawal following drug test

Anthony Joshua will fight Robert Helenius at London's O2 Arena on Saturday after his rematch against Dillian Whyte was called off at late notice.

Whyte returned “adverse findings” from a doping test last week, leading to the clash with Joshua being called off.

Helenius, 39, has stepped in to replace Whyte just days after beating Mika Mielonen in Finland.

"This wasn't in the script," said Joshua about his new opponent.

"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.”

Joshua is looking to continue his comeback following back-to-back defeats to Ukrainian unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua last fought America’s Jermaine Franklin in April, winning on points, and is reportedly next hoping to land a huge fight against Deontay Wilder.

The 2012 Olympic champion will be expected to comfortably see off Helenius, who he sparred against in 2017.

Helenius holds a 32-4 win-loss record and beat Derek Chisora in 2011.

He also took Whyte the distance in 2017, but was knocked out in the first round by Wilder last year.

“I am excited about fighting Anthony Joshua on August 12,” he 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!"

Later this month, undefeated unified heavyweight champion Usyk takes on mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois in Wroclaw, Poland.

The fight on August 26 will be shown live on TNT Sports Box Office.

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