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Anthony Joshua is back and reveals defiant edge needed to take down Deontay Wilder
Anthony Joshua is back and reveals defiant edge needed to take down Deontay Wilder
It was at a quarter to midnight that Anthony Joshua turned out the lights on Robert Helenius. Several minutes later, they finally came back on. The right hand came out of nowhere, hidden behind a pair of feinted jabs, and it turned the tide on a wave of boos in the O2 Arena, after the crowd had seemed to turn on Joshua. The Briton, 33, has been accused for some time now of being gun shy, but when he finally found the trigger on Saturday, he throttled it. It was killer instinct, coupled with god-given power, that allowed Joshua to rise through the sport quickly and impressively despite his late start. The ‘sweet science’ side of the game seemingly only appealed to him after he was stunned by Andy Ruiz Jr, and "AJ" employed elements of that approach in their rematch to construct a smart, safe performance and win on points. 'Safe' may just be the key word there, however, and it does hint at the downside to Joshua trying to add another string to his crossbow; that development also seemed to indicate a fear of letting loose – of risking ending up in a firefight. His interest in that tact increased after his first loss to Oleksandr Usyk, in which the Briton was discombobulated by the southpaw’s speed, angles and invention. Joshua tried to adapt in their rematch, but - although he improved upon his previous showing - he was outboxed again. It was only on the microphone, after the bout, that he let go. Similarly, it was only after the final bell in April, when Joshua had laboured past Jermaine Franklin, that there was any threat of a fight breaking out. On Saturday, Joshua was able to have his cake and eat it. For six rounds he probed patiently, to the audible frustration of the London crowd, but in the seventh round he finally produced the kind of one-shot KO that fans had craved all week, since Helenius was announced as Dillian Whyte's replacement. In the first round, Joshua found the timing of his jab quickly, to his credit. He varied its destination well, while his crosses and hooks were out of range for the time being. As the rounds progressed, however, those shots began to land intermittently, with Helenius more than once eating right crosses with his back to the ropes – a sign of what would ultimately prove his downfall. As early as the third round, fans had begun to whistle – then boo – but all the while Joshua kept working, refusing to force a finish. It could be argued that Joshua should have been more adventurous, mind you, but he was intent on taking his time. The lancing jab was still working to good effect, bloodying Helenius's nose badly. In the fifth, Joshua knocked the Finn, 39, off balance with a well-timed counter left hook, just as Helenius seemed to be growing in confidence, output and accuracy. But in the sixth, the boos resumed and reached a quite startling level, accompanied by one shout of: "AJ, what are you f***in' doin'??" Biding his time, it seemed, and in the next round he decided the time had come. Joshua jabbed low, then high, with neither shot landing but neither intended to. Behind those feints, Joshua hid a hard right cross, slung onto Helenius's chin, which sent the Finn lolloping sickeningly to the mat. Joshua walked away at once, knowing the job was done. Then, in a moment of defiance and with a glimmer of his old swagger, he turned and added a crotch chop, as the crowd around him finally used its voice to support the face of British boxing. “People need to leave me alone, let me breathe a bit. I’ll see you again soon, hopefully two more times this year, I need to stay busy,” Joshua said, before taking a shot at his rivals. “My back’s gone, I’m carrying this heavyweight division to the top.” Joshua, yet again to his credit, stayed to embrace those changeable masses in the O2 for more than half an hour. He has been accused of holding a grudge or two in his time, but he was quick to forgive on this night. Regardless of whether the Deontay Wilder fight is next for Joshua, the merit of this win should not be overlooked. Fans might actually cherish Joshua's come-up – that bewitching batch of knockouts against lesser foes – more than most of the fights in his two world-title reigns. When all is said and done, fighters leave fans with memories and highlights packages, and this victory over Helenius was a long-awaited, much-needed addition for Joshua. In winding back the clock, Joshua might just have found himself again. Read More Joshua vs Helenius LIVE: Boxing result and reaction after AJ delivers brutal knockout It’s time to stop taking Anthony Joshua for granted Campbell Hatton: ‘I used to have my nappy changed on the ring apron!’ Glove row put Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius in late doubt Anthony Joshua focused only on Robert Helenius amid Deontay Wilder speculation Anthony Joshua weighs in ahead of bout against Robert Helenius
2023-08-13 08:25
Inter Milan take control of Champions League semi-final with AC Milan
Inter Milan take control of Champions League semi-final with AC Milan
Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored as Inter Milan took charge of their Champions League semi-final against AC Milan with a 2-0 first-leg win at San Siro. Inter blitzed their city rivals with two goals in the first 11 minutes and could easily have put the tie to bed after a dominant first-half display. Milan improved after the break but will be grateful to still be in reach of the 2010 champions after a disappointing performance in front of their supporters. The fierce rivals had not met in the Champions League since a quarter-final clash in 2005, which was abandoned after 73 minutes of the second leg when a section of Inter fans hurled flares on to the pitch – one of which struck and injured Milan goalkeeper Dida. Milan, bidding for an eighth European Cup trophy and a first final since their 2007 success, were dealt a blow before kick-off with star forward Rafael Leao ruled out by a muscle injury and they were soon blown away by a blistering start from Simone Inzaghi’s side. Inter were ahead after just eight minutes as former Manchester City striker Dzeko outmuscled Davide Calabria from Federico Dimarco’s corner and thrashed a volley from 12 yards past the helpless Mike Maignan in the Milan goal. And they had a second just three minutes later. Dimarco was released down the left and cut the ball across the box into the path of the onrushing Mkhitaryan, who marched through the Milan defence to stroke past Maignan. The Rossoneri were all at sea and Inter came within inches of a third when former Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu lashed a 25-yard strike against a post, before Maignan blocked Mkhitaryan’s effort from close range. There was a huge moment of relief for Stefano Pioli’s side after Inter were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute as Lautaro Martinez went down under a challenge from Simon Kjaer. But Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano was asked to review his decision by the VAR and decided to overturn his original call. Martinez flashed a strike narrowly over before Denzel Dumfries just failed to apply the finishing touch to Dimarco’s cross-shot as Inter continued their total dominance of the first half. Milan started the second period much better. Brahim Diaz curled just wide from 20 yards and Junior Messias wasted a great chance when through on goal. Dzeko was denied by a good one-on-one save from Maignan but Milan’s improvement continued and substitute Divock Origi played a key role in setting up Sandro Tonali, whose strike cannoned off the base of the left post. But Inter drew the sting out of Milan’s revival and took a big step towards the final in Istanbul.
2023-05-11 05:23
Griner, Cunningham lead fourth-quarter rally, Mercury defeat Fever 85-82
Griner, Cunningham lead fourth-quarter rally, Mercury defeat Fever 85-82
Brittney Griner scored 29 points, Sophie Cunningham scored 11 of her 13 points in the fourth quarter, and the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 85-82
2023-06-12 07:59
Kentucky Derby winner Mage set as 8-5 morning line favorite for Preakness
Kentucky Derby winner Mage set as 8-5 morning line favorite for Preakness
Kentucky Derby winner Mage has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite for the Preakness
2023-05-16 05:50
Marcus Stroman's first Tweet after extension denial a clear shot at Cubs
Marcus Stroman's first Tweet after extension denial a clear shot at Cubs
Marcus Stroman clearly isn't letting the news that he won't get a contract extension from the Cubs get his work ethic down.On Saturday, as Marcus Stroman and the Chicago Cubs were waiting for the rain to clear up so they could take on the Cleveland Guardians at Wrigley Field, Ken Rosen...
2023-07-02 23:50
With only 1 race left before NASCAR's Championship 4 is set, drama awaits in Martinsville
With only 1 race left before NASCAR's Championship 4 is set, drama awaits in Martinsville
NASCAR’s season has entered its next-to-last week
2023-10-23 18:46
Four reds and two brawls as Indonesia clinch regional football gold
Four reds and two brawls as Indonesia clinch regional football gold
Indonesia won footballing gold at the Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday, beating Thailand in a hot-tempered match that had seven goals, four players sent off, two mass brawls and even...
2023-05-17 01:54
Luis Rubiales refuses to resign from Spanish FA over Jenni Hermoso kiss
Luis Rubiales refuses to resign from Spanish FA over Jenni Hermoso kiss
Luis Rubiales has refused to resign from the Spanish FA after kissing Jenni Hermoso.
2023-08-25 19:26
3 Bears who earned a roster spot in Preseason Week 1, and 1 on verge of being cut
3 Bears who earned a roster spot in Preseason Week 1, and 1 on verge of being cut
The Chicago Bears had big moments and big blunders against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 of the preseason. Some stood out, while one likely earned his walking papers.It's Week 1 of the NFL Preseason, and the Chicago Bears, who ended last year on a losing streak, were back in action against...
2023-08-13 07:27
Everton edge Crystal Palace in five-goal thriller
Everton edge Crystal Palace in five-goal thriller
Everton beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst Park as Idrissa Gueye’s goal four minutes from time capped a superb away performance from Sean Dyche’s team. Palace twice came from behind, with Eberechi Eze’s penalty quickly cancelling out Vitalii Mykolenko’s early opener and Odsonne Edouard capitalising on a howler from James Tarkowski to level up after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s goal. But they had no answer a third time after Gueye kept his cool to seal victory and propel his side to consecutive away wins. It all came after an electric start. Palace failed to clear their lines as Mykolenko’s shot was blocked, and as the ball broke wide on the right the Ukrainian found space inside the box and climbed highest to nod Jack Harrison’s cross past Sam Johnstone after just 55 seconds. Palace fans may have been stunned but their team quickly hit back. Within three minutes they were level, and it was Eze, back in the side after a hamstring injury, who danced into Everton’s box and drew a foul from Jarrad Branthwaite. VAR checked and saw no reason to overturn referee Sam Barrott’s penalty award, leaving the Eze the task of calmly rolling the ball past Jordan Pickford. Selhurst Park howled for a second spot-kick when Eze again went down under apparent pressure inside the box. This time the referee deemed the forward had dived, and rather than a penalty, a yellow card was Eze’s reward. Edouard forced Pickford into a save low to his right in added time at the end of the half in what was a rare instance of attacking threat from the home team. Everton had won three of their previous six in the league, and after the frustration of failing to hold on to their early lead they began the second half in similarly urgent fashion. A corner from the visitors’ right was cleared only to the edge of the box, where Amadou Onana scooped the ball square to Mykolenko. For the second time in the game he was given too much time to line up an effort on goal, and as his volley cannoned back off a post there was Doucoure unmarked to tap home. The advantage looked fragile. On the hour mark, Mykolenko and Gueye almost produced a comical own-goal, getting in one another’s way as Jeffrey Schlupp’s cross dropped into the box and they required Pickford’s fingertips to keep them from bundling the ball over their own goal line. Edouard was growing as a threat and with 25 minutes to go he handed Jefferson Lerma a golden chance to level, coming inside from the left of the box and cutting the ball back, only for Lerma, free on the edge of the box, to fire wide. Michael Oliseh came off the bench for his first appearance of the season and drew a roar of anticipation from around Selhurst Park with a shot from 20 yards that deflected narrowly over. Palace were by now dominant, and their second equaliser came courtesy of a defensive calamity. A high, headed ball into the box looked an easy mop-up job for Tarkowski, but rather than nod it clear he left the ball for his goalkeeper, and in stole Edouard to tap home. Still Palace could not hold on to their point, and Everton roared back at them once more with four minutes to go, this time decisively. Doucoure received the ball in midfield and looked up to see Gueye racing through the centre. Doucoure’s pass was weighted expertly and Gueye needed barely to break stride as he evaded Tyrick Mitchell’s lunging challenge and guided it beyond Johnstone. Read More On this day in 2014: David Moyes appointed Real Sociedad head coach The inside story of Watford’s remarkable rise and football’s most unlikely bromance Brain injury charity Headway questions why Harry Maguire was allowed to play on Everton boss Sean Dyche and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi satisfied with a point Ashley Young’s own goal earns Brighton a point at Everton Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
2023-11-12 01:50
Taylor Swift at Chiefs game: Best memes and tweets from NFL media and fans
Taylor Swift at Chiefs game: Best memes and tweets from NFL media and fans
Taylor Swift appeared at the Kansas City Chiefs' Sunday win over the Chicago Bears to support Travis Kelce. The internet went wild.
2023-09-25 08:16
Virgil van Dijk releases statement after being handed further ban by FA
Virgil van Dijk releases statement after being handed further ban by FA
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has publicly responded to the FA's decision to further punish him for his red card against Newcastle United and subsequent charge of improper conduct.
2023-09-09 02:49