ROBERT HELENIUS was left needing an oxygen mask after Anthony Joshua’s breathtaking knockout.
AJ had to face Helenius on just seven days notice after Dillian Whyte was ruled out following a failed drug test.
Anthony Joshua knocked out Robert HeleniusRichard Pelham / The Sun
And Joshua steadily built his way through the fight, which garnered boos from the crowd at points during the bout.
But AJ closed the show in emphatic style when a double jab was followed up with a hellacious right hand.
Immediately referee Victor Loughlin waved off the contest to give Joshua his first KO since 2020.
The two-time heavyweight world champion can now look ahead to a potential super-fight with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia next year.
Eddie Hearn said: “We’ve got a three fight plan. Whether you like it or not, it’s Robert Helenius.
“It was supposed to be Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder and then Tyson Fury, that’s the ambition of the team.
“Whether you back Josh, whether you think he can do it or he can’t things have changed. He’s now a mature heavyweight.
“And I know everyone wants to see first, second, third round KOs but against Helenius he took his time and delivered one of the knockouts of the year.
“And we believe he can go and beat Deontay Wilder. Prince Khalid, Skills Challenge are here tonight we look to try and close that deal over the next few days.
“Josh is ready for that fight, he’s given everything to this sport, he’s given everything to British boxing.
“He’s ready now for some big marquee fights. Like I said, he’s smarter now, he’s going to take his time.
“No chances, no more losing and tonight you saw that, a guy that took his time, tried to find his range with the right hand and delivered it in devastating fashion.”
Anthony Joshua celebrates his KO winRichard Pelham / The Sun