BOXING fans are up in arms after Robert Helenius was drafted in as a late replacement to fight Anthony Joshua.
AJ had been scheduled to fight Dillian Whyte before the Bodysnatcher failed a drug test.
Andy Ruiz Jr. threw his hat in the ring to fight Joshua while Deontay Wilder's training partner Gerald Washington was also rumoured to be a potential opponent.
But Eddie Hearn confirmed it is Helenius who will step into the ring at the O2 Arena on Saturday, despite the 39-year-old fighting just three days ago.
The Finn beat Mika Mielonen but in his previous clash against one of the world's best - Wilder - he lasted just one round before he was brutally knocked out.
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Helenius' record includes defeats to Whyte and Washington in recent years, and many fight fans are furious he has been picked to face Joshua.
One wrote: "Helenius when Ruiz wanted the smoke is an absolute joke."
Another added: "Pathetic. Imagine paying for tickets, travel, and hotel only to be served up this nonsense. Refunds should be given.
"Boxing has been on a downward trajectory and it continues on that journey. @EddieHearn et al should be embarrassed."
A third said: "Another dead rubber, I won’t be watching. He’s just going into the ring to get knocked out and get a pay day. How can you seriously expect to win when you fought 3 days ago?"
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And another commented: "This fight is an absolute joke. I’m sure Eddie was saying recently how finished Helenius is."
The fight is no longer pay-per-view but Hearn has defended Helenius' selection, labelling him a "credible" opponent.
The promoter said: "You go into the wild west of who wants it, who doesn't.
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"We wanted someone credible, who would come to fight, who we could do a deal with at pace. He's had big wins and got chinned by Wilder. He boxed on Saturday and got a knockout."
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