AJ KINS OUT stand-in rival with devastating right hand, crashing him into the canvas in round seven and storming out of the ring at the O2

Just as the faithful began to wish they had applied for a refund, Anthony Joshua threw that signature right hand to dig himself out of a trough of wary boredom.

That return to the old big bang Joshua also pulled from the mire the $80 million fight with Deontay, Wilder scheduled for January in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi paymasters of so many world sports today received the bare minimum of assurance that their money will be well spent.

Joshua did what he had to do by reducing substitute opponent Robert Helenius to a crumpled wreck in the seventh inning at the 02.

It took him six rounds longer than Wilder’s minute and a bit of demolition from this giant Finn last October.

Joshua celebrates the win as he stays on track for a future fight with Deontay Wilder

The two fighters engaged in a slow start with whistles and boos from the crowd

But at least catastrophe was averted and the grinding bore of a 12-round slog avoided. This was Joshua’s first KO win in three years and only the second since 2018. Right on time.

It quelled a tidal wave of jeers as the first half of the fight wound down in slow motion from the wariness of both big men. The audience was not ecstatic at the end, even though the ending was dramatic.

Joshua believes he can win a third world heavyweight title. The jury is still out on that one, but he may have bought time to make a closing argument in court of public opinion.

While waiting for Joshua, Wilder, Usyk and Fury to fight each other, veteran Helenius came in with a week’s notice and proved himself clumsy.

Helenius insisted that despite being 39, he had one last shock blast.

That placed the onus on Joshua to reward the loyalty – as well as prolonging his own career. But there were boos for Joshua’s warning in the third round as Helenius pecked and prodded and Joshua toiled. The first signs of Joshua loosening the shackles came with a few look rights to win the fourth session.

In the fifth inning, Joshua brought the crowd into play with a left hook that wobbled Helenius, but Joshua still failed to stamp his superiority. A cat and mouse sixth round was dealt on my card.

But in the end, Joshua gave the crowd – including ring shooter Conor McGregor – what they came for in the seventh round with a thunderous right hand that caught Helenius with his back to the ropes.

Helenius proved to be a tough opponent for Anthony Joshua in the beginning

There was some concern for Helenius, but the Finnish fighter rose to its feet

Initially there was some concern for Helenius and Joshua left the ring to celebrate with the spectators, but his opponent was later able to sit up after becoming the 26th boxer to taste defeat against Joshua.

When asked if he was under pressure to get a knockout because Wilder knocked out Helenius in the first inning, AJ said, “I think people should leave me alone. It’s my time in the ring. This is my moment.

“It’s a fickle sport, you have to be realistic about this industry and not get caught up. I did my job.’

Of Helenius he said: ‘That man has talent. I had to figure him out. I think he can cause problems for a lot of people, but I don’t want to say too much. Hopefully I’ll see you again. I have to keep busy.’

When asked about the upcoming fight with Wilder, he joked, “I have a back issue. My back is gone because I have to carry this heavyweight division to the top.”