Robert Helenius Banned From Boxing For Two Years After Failed Doping Test
Robert Helenius has been banned from boxing for two years after he failed a drugs test following his knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua. The Finn was dropped by a heavy right hand in the seventh round at the O2 Arena as Joshua continued his comeback from back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk. The victory was Joshua's first stoppage in two and a half years and got him back to winning ways.
Robert Helenius has been banned from boxing for two years after he failed a drugs test following his bout with Anthony Joshua.
The Finn was knocked out in the seventh round by the Brit at the O2 Arena when Joshua – the former WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight champion – dropped Helenius with a big right hand after a nervy opening six rounds.
Helenius had stepped in at short notice after Dillian Whyte withdrew from the scheduled bout, which took place on August 13 last year, having himself failed a voluntary drugs test.
The UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) announced Helenius' ban in a statement issued today.
"Finnish Professional Boxer Robert Helenius has been banned from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for two years, following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance," the statement read.
"Mr Helenius was tested by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) after his bout against Anthony Joshua at the London O2 Arena on 12 August 2023. Analysis of his Sample revealed the Presence of clomifene. Clomifene is a Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times."
UKAD's report details that Helenius believed he had ingested clomifene - an illegal substance - "from his consumption of eggs and chicken meat", but was unable to provide sufficient evidence to prove that that was the case.
Joshua, meanwhile, has fought twice more since the Helenius fight – beating Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou in December and March in Saudi Arabia.
He is scheduled to face Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on September 21.
