Anthony Joshua admitted a sense of responsibility to not let people down was a driving factor behind him accepting a last-minute opponent change for Saturday’s fight at the O2 Arena in London.

Joshua went head-to-head with Robert Helenius for the first time at today's press conference in the capital after the 6ft 9in heavyweight had been confirmed as Dillian Whyte’s replacement just 24 hours earlier.

Chapter two of the Joshua-Whyte rivalry had to be scrapped after the latter saw a doping test by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association detect “adverse analytical findings”, which has left the Body Snatcher in a battle to clear his name.

Joshua discovered news of Whyte’s failed test on Saturday morning but was eager to keep the show on the road and will now face an opponent who fought in Finland last weekend.

The former two-time unified world heavyweight champ said: "I looked at the undercard as well and I know how much it means for them to compete.

“I know how hard you Matchroom work and not only you Eddie Hearn, all your backroom staff. I didn’t want to let anyone down, my coach, DAZN, so it is kind of like a responsibility.

“Late replacements are not ideal but it is the third time it has happened. 

"We had it with Kubrat Pulev and Carlos Takam, Jarrell Miller and Andy Ruiz Jr, so this is what happens.

“A long career will present these type of obstacles and I just have to get used to them. Yeah, this is another rock on my shoe towards the top of the mountain.

“Helenius fought on Saturday, he is doing the right thing. As a fighter, you have to stay busy, you have to stay active and keep expressing your skill because that is the only way to improve.

“Obviously I haven’t been fighting.I fought at the start of April but I spent a lot of time in the ring. 

"In Dallas we do a lot of ring work and that’s the closest thing to a fight. It is not just hitting the bags, shadow boxing, we do a lot of combat training so I am physically ready.”

Meanwhile, Helenius (32-4, 21KOs) insists he is not merely in the UK for a pay-day despite being in action last Saturday, where he recorded a third-round win over Mika Mielonen in a Castle in Finland.

The veteran will step into the ring for the 37th time and after sharing the canvas with Deontay Wilder last October, where he suffered a vicious knock-out loss inside three minutes, he is excited to go toe-to-toe with old sparring partner Joshua (25-3, 22KOs).

Stockholm-born Helenius added: “I am ready to fight. That is why I am here. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.

“I respect him, he’s a good fighter. It is going to be glorious.

“It was big news in Finland and I can ensure you I will give everything.”