Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius undercard: Complete list of fights before main event in 2023 boxing match

Daniel Yanofsky

Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius undercard: Complete list of fights before main event in 2023 boxing match image

When an all-British rematch between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte fell apart due to the latter failing a VADA test, several known heavyweights were eager to offer their services and fill the void at the O2 Arena in London on August 12.

However, the lucky man – or unlucky depending on your point of view – is former double European champion Robert Helenius, who steps in at just five days' notice. The Finnish boxer will be a huge underdog to prevail against the former two-time heavyweight king but will be thankful for an unexpected payday.

WATCH: Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius, live on DAZN

Should Joshua prevail, then attention will hopefully turn to a long-awaited collision with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. The glamour division badly needs authentic superfights and Joshua vs. Wilder is perhaps the most exciting heavyweight matchup that can be made in 2023.

Outside of the main event, several heavyweights fight to become top contenders, while the son of a boxing legend looks to continue his momentum. Here’s a breakdown of the fighters competing before Joshua and Helenius.

Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius undercard 

Filip Hrgovic vs. Demsey McKean

  • Division/Weight: Heavyweight
  • Hrgovic record: 15-0
  • McKean record: 22-0
  • Belts at stake: N/A 

In other heavyweight action, Filip Hrgovic faces Demsey McKean in an IBF heavyweight title eliminator.

A bronze medalist in the 2016 Olympics, Hrgovic (15-0) turned pro in 2017. The Croatian has beaten the likes of Eric Molina, Rydell Booker, and Zhilei Zhang.

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"The heavyweight champions cannot avoid me any longer, and once I have defeated Demsey McKean on August 12, they will have no other option but to face me,” Hrgovic said. “I have waited patiently and bided my time, but the game is up, 'El Animal' is coming for you and is ready to take the belts back to Croatia.”

McKean (22-0) competed in MMA in 2010 and went 2-1. Turning to pro boxing in 2014, the Australian beat Anthony Fowler in 2016 for the ANBF Queensland heavyweight title. Beating Tai Tuivasa in a heavyweight tournament final, the 32-year-old followed that up by beating Will Nasio for Australian gold. His last fight was a knockout win triumph over Patrick Korte in October.

“This is what it’s all about, the big fights,” said McKean. “I’ve been grinding a big portion of my life for a fight like this. I’m one win away from fighting Usyk for four world titles. This is my world title fight.”


Johnny Fisher vs. Harry Armstrong

  • Division/Weight: Heavyweight
  • Fisher record: 9-0
  • Armstrong record: 5-1-1
  • Belts at stake: N/A 

Also on the card will be Johnny Fisher vs. Harry Armstrong.

A former rugby star, Fisher (9-0) turned pro in 2021. "The Romford Bull" has won all but one fight via knockout and won his last bout in June against Emilio Salas. 

"Dirty" Harry Armstrong (5-1-1) turned pro in 2020. He is 1-1-1 in his last three fights, his last bout being a points loss to Jeamie Tshikeva in February.  

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Derek Chisora vs. Gerald Washington

  • Division/Weight: Heavyweight
  • Chisora record: 33-13
  • Washington record: 20-5-1
  • Belts at stake: N/A 

Further down the card, Derek Chisora faces Gerald Washington.

A 2006 English National Championships gold medalist, Chisora (33-13) turned pro in 2007. "War" beat Danny Williams in 2010 for the British heavyweight championship, and Sam Sexton for the Commonwealth belt. The fiery slugger has faced some of the best fighters in the division, including Tyson Fury, Vitali Klitschko, David Haye, Kubrat Pulev, and Dillian Whyte. The 39-year-old Londoner is 1-4 in his last five fights, his last bout being a TKO loss to Fury in December 2022. 

Washington (20-5-1) previously spent time in the NFL on the Seahawks and Bills practice squads. In boxing, he turned pro in 2012 and fought for the WBC heavyweight title in 2017, losing to Deontay Wilder. The 41-year-old Washington is 2-3 in his last five fights and is on a two-fight losing streak, his last bout being a TKO loss to Ali Eren Demirezen in January 2022. 


Campbell Hatton vs. Tom Ansell

  • Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
  • Hatton record: 12-0
  • Ansell record: 10-4
  • Belts at stake: N/A 

In super lightweight action, Campbell Hatton faces Tom Ansell.

The son of Ricky Hatton, Campbell (12-0), 22, turned pro in 2021. He won four fights in 2022 and is already 3-0 in 2023. His last bout was a TKO win over Michal Bulik in May.

Ansell (10-4) turned pro in 2017. The 30-year-old is 2-3 in his last five fights and is on a two-fight losing streak. His most recent bout was a TKO loss to Aaron Prospere in May. 

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George Liddard vs. Radek Rousal

  • Division/Weight: Middleweight
  • Liddard record: 3-0
  • Rousal record: 5-1
  • Belts at stake: N/A 

Also on the card will be George Liddard vs. Radek Rousal.

The 21-year-old Liddard (3-0) turned pro in 2022 and had his last bout in June when he defeated Nikolas Dzurnak.

Rousal (5-1), 28, turned pro in 2020 and lost his debut. Since then, he has won five in a row, his last bout being a unanimous decision win over Artjom Spatar in April. 


Maisey Rose Courtney vs. Gemma Ruegg 

  • Division/Weight: Super Flyweight
  • Courtney record: 3-0
  • Ruegg record: 7-7
  • Belts at stake: N/A 

Rounding out the card is Maisey Rose Courtney vs. Gemma Ruegg.

Courtney (3-0) turned pro in 2022. The 22-year-old Brit last fought in May, beating Kate Radomska on points.

A former MMA fighter (record 1-2), Ruegg (7-7) turned pro in 2021. The 38-year-old is 2-2 in her last four fights, her most recent outing being a points win over Wendellin Cruz in June.


When is Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius?

Joshua vs. Helenius will be on August 12.  The main card starts at 7 p.m. local time, which is 2 p.m. ET. Both fighters should make their way to the ring around 10:15 p.m. BST (5:15 p.m. ET), depending on how long the undercard fights last. Here's how that translates to different timezones globally: 

Region Date Main Card Start Time Main Event Ring Walks (approx.)
USA and Canada (ET) Saturday, August 12 2 p.m. ET 5:15 p.m. ET
USA and Canada (PT) Saturday, August 12 11 a.m. PT 2:15 p.m. PT
UK and Ireland Saturday, August 12 7 p.m. BST 10:15 p.m. BST
Australia Sunday, August 13 4 a.m. AEST 7:15 a.m. AEST

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How to watch Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius

Region TV channel Live streaming
USA DAZN
Canada DAZN
UK and Ireland DAZN 1 HD DAZN 
Australia DAZN

The Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius fight card will be available via DAZN in the U.S. and in the U.K.

WATCH: Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius, live on DAZN

Now available as a Sky channel, DAZN 1 HD is exclusive to Sky.

Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius price: How much does the card cost?

  • DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month in U.S. / $24.99 per month in Canada / £9.99 in the U.K. on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month / 13.99 AUD
  • DAZN annual subscription: $224.99 in U.S., $199.99 in Canada, £99.99 in the U.K.

Daniel Yanofsky