Anthony Joshua fight nearly collapsed over Robert Helenius glove demands

Robert Helenius demanded to wear the same gloves as Anthony Joshua as a row left their heavyweight clash in doubt on Friday.

The Finnish man mountain was fuming with the gloves chosen by his rival ahead of Saturday’s clash at the O2. Helenius, 39, was not impressed with the padding in the Leone gloves that AJ’s camp manager David Ghansa picked out for his man to wear.

Joshua was not in the room when the row erupted as Helenius’ team demanded a change of gloves. The Finn was given a choice from various brands but was not happy with Joshua’s pair, which was chosen from a collection of Leone ones.

They continually tried to show that the padding was different in the gloves chosen than the others. However, the British Boxing Board of Control official in the room confirmed that they were approved for use in this country.

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That left Helenius fuming as he started pointing his finger at Joshua’s team and said he wanted the same gloves.

Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith was brought in to help sort the row and was in heated discussions with Helenius’ trainer Johan Lindstrom. Ghansa then got involved and assured Helenius’ team that they would have no problem, with the Finn wearing the same gloves and that a pair would be brought in for him.

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That settled the dispute and all parties shook hands before leaving the room. It followed a bizarrely heated weigh-in at Westfield shopping centre in Shepherd’s Bush. Joshua offered to fight Helenius on the stage after the pair weighed in.

The British heavyweight got heated with his rival on the eve of their clash at the O2. Joshua said to Helenius "you look like you’ve got a problem with me" as they faced off.

Then the former world champion said: "We can have a fight tomorrow night or we can have a fight here." The pair were kept apart in the intense stare off with Helenius – a late replacement – looking surprised by Joshua’s confrontation.

Joshua was due to face Dillian Whyte but his bitter rival tested positive in a VADA test and the clash was cancelled.

Helenius has taken the fight on less than a week notice as he looks to reignite his career after a brutal knockout defeat by Deontay Wilder last year. Joshua tipped the scales at 17st 12lb with Helenius just shy of a lb lighter than his opponent.

This is expected to be an easy fight for Joshua with Helenius a late call up but there is a huge pay day at risk if he slips up. Skills Challenge – who host boxing in Saudi Arabia – are set to be at the O2 as they look to finalise a deal for the British star to face Wilder early next year.

They’ve pencilled in a date of January 13 and they want Joshua to sign the contract for the fight this weekend.

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