sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Anthony Joshua's fight with Robert Helenius nearly collapsed over glove dispute

Home> Boxing> Boxing News

Published 16:12 12 Aug 2023 GMT+1

Anthony Joshua's fight with Robert Helenius nearly collapsed over glove dispute

Anthony Joshua's fight with Robert Helenius on Saturday at the O2 Arena was very nearly off.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Anthony Joshua's fight on Saturday night was nearly scuppered for a second time over a glove row.

The former world heavyweight champion was initially scheduled to face long-time rival Dillian Whyte for the second time in his professional career but the fight was cancelled after the 'Body Snatcher' failed a drugs test.

Finnish fighter Robert Helenius stepped in as a replacement at incredibly short notice, having been in action in his native country just a week ago.

But the bout was almost nixed amid a huge dispute over gloves. Helenius and his team were absolutely furious with the Leone gloves Joshua is wearing in the main event at the O2 Arena.

Advert

WATCH BOTH TEAMS ROW OVER THE GLOVES HERE:

David Ghansa, who is Joshua's long-time friend and training camp manager, selected the gloves.

But Helenius and his camp were not happy with the chosen gloves, claiming the padding was different and feeling as though 'AJ' had an advantage as a result.

The Nordic Nightmare had even described the gloves as "f****ing bulls***" and said, "I need exactly the same gloves" - claiming everybody knows what was going on.


Johan Lindstrom, Helenius' trainer, stated there was "so little padding" even if British Boxing Board of Control officials confirmed they had are valid for use.

Lindstrom got into it with Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith over the matter but Ghansa was able to allay all concerns and confirm that Helenius would be given a pair of the very same gloves on fight night.

Everything was left amicably, with handshakes and embraces all round.

The weigh-in between the pair was a fiery one, with some fans accusing Joshua of "losing the plot" after he told his opponent, "you look like you’ve got a problem with me" during the final face-off.

He then added: "We can have a fight tomorrow night or we can have a fight here."

Should he beat Helenius, Joshua is widely expected to square off against former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in a blockbuster fight.

Featured Image Credit: Getty & tiktok/@combatmaniac

Topics: Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

Tyson Fury targets Jon Jones clash as next move after boxing confirmedGetty“I don’t fight for a country” – Michael 'Venom' Page reveals why he won’t walk out with a flag at UFC LondonGeoff Stellfox/Getty ImagesLerone Murphy details ‘bucket list’ fight ahead of UFC LondonChris Unger/Zuffa LLC“All we want is people who really want to die for the shirt” – Danny Dyer talks West Ham, football agents and the toughest firms in the gameOne Last Deal

Advert

Choose your content:

8 mins ago
14 hours ago
17 hours ago
22 hours ago
  • Getty
    8 mins ago

    Olympic champion Lin Yu-ting cleared to compete following gender eligibility dispute

    The boxer won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games but has since been involved in a gender row.

    Boxing
  • Getty
    14 hours ago

    Ricky Hatton death 'not ruled as intended suicide' as coroner provides update

    Ricky Hatton passed away back in September 2025.

    Boxing
  • Getty
    17 hours ago

    Tyson Fury targets Jon Jones clash as next move after boxing confirmed

    The self-proclaimed Gypsy King is targeting an MMA fight against the former two-weight UFC champion.

    Boxing
  • Getty
    22 hours ago

    Anthony Joshua’s comeback plans clarified following friends’ tragic deaths

    The former two-time unified heavyweight world champion has not fought since defeating Jake Paul on 19 December, 2025.

    Boxing
  • Anthony Joshua update drops as Eddie Hearn speaks out on mega-fight
  • Anthony Joshua’s comeback plans clarified following friends’ tragic deaths
  • Eddie Hearn gives take on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua after huge update
  • Anthony Joshua made shock offer to leave Eddie Hearn as screenshot revealed