“[Two] weeks waiting for WBA president Gilberto Mendoza and the WBA to confirm ‘Rollies’ Romero’s return from his supposed “injury,”” De La Hoya publicly stated in search of a definitive response. “Our fighter Ohara [Davies] is his mandatory and we will not step aside.”The fight between Romero and Davies was initially announced on May 30. However, the negotiation period ended without any concrete agreement, and there was hardly any communication between the two sides. Davies' team found it challenging to coordinate with Romero's representatives from Mayweather Promotions and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC). Earlier, Romero won the WBA 140-pound title by defeating Venezuela's Ismael Barroso. Romero is now bound to defend his title against the next top contender to retain his belt. Davies secured his spot for the title challenge with a win over fellow English boxer Lewis Ritson. Davies has had a strong performance, with only two losses in his career. One was against Jack Catterall in 2018 and the other against Josh Taylor in 2017. The WBA had planned a purse bid hearing on July 24 for the fight. But Romero requested a medical break, and the WBA has not yet responded. This delay frustrated Davies, who expressed his feelings on social media. He believes Romero might be looking for a higher-profile match instead of fighting him.
“@SignUp4KOs you p-ssy,” Davies previously exclaimed on social media. “Trying to fake an injury, the real reason is because your grandad @LEllerbe [Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather Promotions] knows for a fact I knock you the f--- out. Stop being a p-ssy & grow a set of b-llocks & fight me.”Industry insiders suggest that Romero might be eyeing a rematch with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis or a match against Ryan Garcia. However, both Golden Boy Promotions and Davies oppose this move. De La Hoya has clarified that their primary aim is to win the belt and not just the prize money. If the match goes back to a purse bid hearing, the minimum bid will be $110,000, with Romero receiving a larger share as the defending champion.
“Not about the money, we want the belt.”
“One of two things. Wilder goes after him early. Wilder can’t fight but he can punch and he’s got heart. And so does Joshua. Wilder’s got heart. He’s got off the floor before, as Joshua has, but he’s taken a terrible beating off Fury that last two fights. I don’t know what he has left. “I think [Wilder] has a better chin than Joshua at the end of the day. He lands the punch first, it’ll be all over. Or, he’ll walk into something. Joshua knows how to counter. “His temperament is to counter, not be aggressive. He might catch Wilder coming in, or make him miss and counter him. Or Wilder uses that as long as a phone pole jab and sets up that right hand and catches Joshua.The Wilder vs Joshua fight's realization now depends on negotiations between the fighters' representatives to secure a deal in Saudi Arabia in the upcoming year.“It could go either way but I’ll wind up saying Wilder.”
"The knockout has made the anticipated fight even more significant. Kudos to Joshua for delivering. And a big salute to Helenius. Stepping into the ring with top contenders isn’t easy, more so on such short notice."Helenius was a last-minute replacement for Dillian Whyte, who faced complications with a doping test shortly before the scheduled fight. Despite this sudden change, Helenius, known as the 'Nordic Nightmare,' managed to pull off a victory against Mika Mielonen in Finland just a week prior. However, Scott wasn't overly impressed with Joshua's performance. He stated:
"Aside from the knockout, there wasn't much to take note of. I'm more convinced than ever about Wilder's chances against Joshua. Give them three or four rounds, and I see Wilder overpowering him."According to Scott, Wilder's aggressive stance sets him apart. He elaborated:
"If you looked closely, Joshua had some visible injuries during the Helenius fight. When Wilder faced Helenius, he emerged without a scratch. The difference lies in their approach. Wilder's punches pack more force, and he brings a unique fierceness to the ring."Wilder last took on Helenius in a WBC world heavyweight title eliminator match in New York, finishing him in the first round. Before locking horns with Joshua, Wilder plans to face another opponent. Scott revealed:
"Ruiz isn’t eager to challenge Wilder. We're scouting for a fighter willing to risk it, even if it likely ends in another knockout victory for us."
“I said you're very talented, and you could cause a lot of people some problems. So, continue, credit to you, and I appreciate you for helping save the show. It means a lot for me to box tonight, and Helenius played a big part in that, so I just gave him a pat on the back. Even though he wasn't successful in the ring, he's a massive success in saving this event,” Joshua said at the post-fight press conference, a photo of Helenius on the promotional step-and-repeat peering over his shoulder. “He's a good man,” Joshua added. “I don't really like many heavyweight boxers, but he's cool.”
“Because everybody is on his case saying he hasn’t done this, he hasn’t done that. What he needs to do is look spectacular and give himself a bit more confidence because I think the British press has been a bit harsh on him lately.Regarding a potential Wilder vs Joshua showdown, Bruno expressed his belief that such a match is premature for Joshua. Bruno opined that Joshua should gain more experience in the ring to bolster his self-assurance before stepping into the ring with Wilder. Mentally, Bruno felt Joshua needed to find his equilibrium and confidence, indicating that the Wilder bout was a couple of fights too early.
“He needs to have a few more fights to get his confidence up then when he goes in there he can do the damage. That fight I think it’s a couple of fights too early. Especially as how he’s feeling mentally. He needs to get his head right, his foundation right, and he can go forward then. That’s all he needs. “I’d love to see that fight. But AJ hasn’t got to rush that fight you know. Tyson’s desperate. He wants to get him in the ring as quick as possible and make as much money. But Joshua don’t have to rush. Just take his time and learn his trade.”When asked about a future clash with Tyson Fury, Bruno showed enthusiasm for the matchup but advised Joshua not to rush into it. He believed that Fury was eager to face Joshua swiftly to capitalize on the financial aspect, but Bruno urged Joshua to take his time, hone his skills, and learn from his fights. Despite Bruno's counsel, it seems that the much-anticipated clash between Wilder and Joshua is indeed moving forward, as Wilder expressed satisfaction with Joshua's knockout victory over Helenius.
“That was a big bang. I don’t remember the impact, my fitness was running out at that point. Of course it hurts, the heart the most. I would have really liked to win this match. We’ll see what comes of this.”Despite the conclusive outcome of Joshua vs Helenius, Helenius believed he was making progress in the bout. Some of his shots caused Joshua's nose to bleed and resulted in minor swelling around his eye. Helenius reflected on missed opportunities to fully exploit Joshua's vulnerabilities, particularly with his left straights.
“I hit him well with left straights, and I noticed that he was a bit embarrassed by it. Should have just let the right one go. I hurt him many times and felt like I had the match in hand at one point. “I still feel that if I had been given 12 weeks for that match, the end result would not have been like that. It would have been the other way around. “I didn’t have the condition for 12 sets here. The better one won this time, that’s all … Even though I lost today, this left me with a good feeling. I will not comment on whether the career will continue.”Helenius was convinced that a lengthier preparation period could have led to a different outcome of the Joshua vs Helenius bout, emphasizing that he lacked the conditioning for a full-length match. While he acknowledged the loss, he expressed a sense of contentment and refrained from commenting on his future in the sport. At 39 years old and with recent significant losses, Helenius' future in the heavyweight division appears uncertain. Meanwhile, Joshua's victory brings him a step closer to a potential clash with Deontay Wilder, potentially scheduled for January.
"Greatness don't rush. Joshua took his time, he landed a big heavy shot, I'm just happy Helenius got up. The fans should be grateful for the Finnish coming in, last minute replacement, no fear he gave a great performance, did himself proud and his team and I'm happy to see him get up. "Big congrats to AJ, big congrats to Eddie, big congrats Forged Irish Stout."Adding to the evening's drama, McGregor unexpectedly challenged YouTuber KSI to a bare-knuckle boxing match, making a light-hearted jibe at KSI's boxing skills.
"I know your man KSI is in the crowd and he couldn't box eggs if he worked in an egg boxing factory. So if he wants to get in here I'll give him a final yoke, bare-knuckle if you want!"KSI didn't shy away, responding on social media with humor and hinting at a possible matchup. Joshua, meanwhile, supported KSI, demonstrating camaraderie between the two.
"Good KO from AJ, shame Connor got him to drink that filth kmt [kiss my teeth]. Lmao [Laughing my a** off] just seen this. Jake Paul must be crying that I’ve got Connor on my d*** already and I didn’t even have to fight an MMA fighter."AJ Replied to Conor Calling KSI a "b***ch":
"That's my guy!"KSI's manager has confirmed the YouTuber has accepted McGregor's challenge:
"After KSI batters Fury, he’s coming to end Connor once and for all!"
"The roadmap includes three fights - Helenius, then Wilder, followed by Fury. Regardless of the public's opinion, the team's vision is clear."Hearn emphasized Joshua's growth over the years, saying:
"He's evolved into a seasoned heavyweight. Even though fans crave early-round knockouts, Joshua displayed patience and strategy against Helenius, eventually delivering one of the year's most memorable KOs."With Prince Khalid and Skills Challenge attending Joshua vs Helenius match, efforts are underway to finalize the Joshua-Wilder fight. Hearn added:
"Joshua is primed for such marquee bouts. He's honed his approach, ensuring he minimizes risks."Post his triumph over Helenius, when asked about his showdown with Wilder, a jovial Joshua hinted at carrying the heavyweight division to greater heights in his unique style.
“You look divine, a one man efficacious fun fair, I love it. Couldn’t love it harder.”Troy Hawke, who rose to internet fame with his humorous interviews during Manchester City's 2022/2023 pre-season American tour, tried his comedic antics on Chisora. However, Chisora didn't seem to share the amusement that Manchester City players once did. He sternly warned Hawke after the comedian continued with his playful remarks, telling him to refrain from calling him “adorable.”
“Tell me I’m adorable again, and I’ll f*** you up.”The interaction took a comedic turn when Hawke made a witty comment about Chisora's outfit, comparing his red and white ensemble to a picnic blanket. The public found this jest quite entertaining, with many praising Hawke's audacity to jest with a professional boxer of Chisora's stature.
“Dangerous Looking Tablecloth.”While Chisora wasn't amused, other famous faces like Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn seemed to enjoy Hawke's humorous approach. Later at the weigh-in, Chisora clocked in at 17.9 stone, which is 14 lbs more than his opponent, Gerald Washington. The British boxer, known as Del Boy, is making a comeback to the ring after a significant pause following his loss to Tyson Fury. Prior to that setback, Chisora had managed a victory over Kubrat Pulev but had suffered three consecutive defeats. Tonight's match, which features Chisora and Washington, is part of the undercard for the much-anticipated face-off between Anthony Joshua and Robert Helenius. A win for Chisora might pave the way for him to make one last attempt at a world title.
“If I was Anthony Joshua’s promoter I’d make him fight Tyson Fury,” Warren said to William Hill. “I even would’ve put him in against Fury two months after he fought Oleksandr Usyk, he didn’t take a beating in that fight. It may have been a psychologically damaging outcome for Joshua, but he has been psychologically gone for a couple of years now. “You wouldn’t particularly want to see Joshua in the ring against Usyk again, so if he’s not going to fight Usyk, who is the man with most of the belts, and he doesn’t want to fight the holder of the WBC belt which is Tyson Fury, then what does he want to do? Does he think he’s going to get any better to be able to take these guys on? That’s what they’re trying to sell, and they’re selling bullsh!t.”Meanwhile, Fury is prepping for an October 28 match where he'll face ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
“I can’t fail. That’s good pressure. Fight hard and win. There’re always going to be comparisons, but this is my fight with Helenius. Not Wilder’s fight, or anyone else’s fight. It’s just me and him. “It’s the wrong mindset with Helenius. He is going to roll the dice. What’s he got to lose? It’s going to be a good fight but I want to take him out in round one if I can. I need to take him out. Helenius has got to worry about me, and I’ve got to worry about myself.”In his subsequent partnership with coach Derrick James, Joshua is keen on putting up a stronger show than in his previous match. After two consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, the British luminary made a comeback last April, clinching a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin.
“Listen, I hope ‘AJ’ sees this. If he doesn’t knock this guy out in three rounds, it’s going to be embarrassing. He needs to knock this guy out in one, two or three. So we can have an early night and go home.” “I don’t want him to try and learn or anything. Go in there and put this guy to sleep. With Franklin he was learning and getting his shots off.” “The public need that from him. He doesn’t need it, the fans need it.”Joshua was set to have a rematch with his well-known competitor, Dillian Whyte. However, due to discrepancies in Whyte's VADA test results, he had to step back. Fortunately for the fans, Helenius stepped in on short notice, ensuring the event continues, and providing Joshua with another opportunity to work with his new coach, Derrick James. It's interesting to note that 'The Nordic Nightmare', Helenius, recently had a casual bout in Finland. However, his most notable recent match was a loss to Wilder in October 2022, where he was defeated in the first round.
“I feel tired, battered and bruised and I feel that I train hard which means I can fight hard.” “My hand being raised is the most important thing, rather than looking at anything else. There’s always a carrot that’s being dangled in front of us, but it’s been like that forever and I think that young athletes should always focus on what they have in front of them. Like myself, I’m a young athlete and a veteran as well now, I’ve been around late replacements, this is the third time this has happened, I just need to get my hand raised, get in there and do the job.”The much-anticipated Joshua vs Helenius bout is scheduled to be held at the O2 Arena this Saturday, August 12. The event will also host three additional heavyweight battles.
"Usyk 2 was a weak performance from me. I wasn’t supposed to lose in my head. I give my life to this game, I give everything. Even talking about it now makes me choke up a bit. When you put everything into something and it’s not easy. The only thing we get credit for is winning. There’s no silver medal in boxing."British boxing enthusiasts eagerly await Joshua's upcoming Joshua vs Helenius fight, set to take place at the O2 Arena in London. Initially, Joshua was slated to go up against his long-standing rival, Dillian Whyte. However, due to an unexpected result in Whyte's VADA test, he had to pull out. Fortunately, Matchroom Promotions swiftly arranged for Helenius to step in, ensuring that the event continues as planned. This Joshua vs Helenius match offers Joshua another opportunity to showcase his skills, this time trained by Derrick James. Should Joshua prevail this Saturday, there's strong speculation that a much-anticipated fight with the formidable American boxer, Deontay Wilder, might be on the cards for January next year.
“No knock to Tank, but there are definitely levels. If he thinks he’s going knock Terence Crawford out, he has another thing coming. I’d stay at 147 lbs for him; that’s a big money fight. But nobody’s going give me credit. Tank’s like 5’5,” he’s a little guy,” said Terence Crawford to the BreakfastClubAM about his willingness to fight Gervonta Davis if he comes up twelve lbs to 147, without being given a catchweight.Addressing the buzz, Crawford mentioned in an interview with BreakfastClubAM that if Davis believes he can defeat him, he's mistaken. Crawford emphasized that he's willing to maintain his 147 lbs weight for such a bout, dismissing Davis's stature by pointing out his height. Following his win over Errol Spence Jr., some critics feel Crawford's self-perception may have shifted. While a rematch with Spence seems likely due to potential contractual obligations, many are skeptical about Crawford landing high-profile fights with Jermell Charlo, Canelo, or Davis. Some observers predict that Crawford might end up facing opponents like Brian Mendoza, Sebastian Fundora, or Erickson Lubin instead.